RALEIGH — Jamee Lynch, principal of East Wake High School’s School of Integrated Technology, said the Class of 2009 should be proud of itself as 315 Warriors graduated in Saturday night’s ceremony at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Those graduates combined to amass $965,388 in scholarships.

“We are confident you are prepared for the challenges you will face,” Lynch said.

The high school’s four, independent school valedictorians each offered encouragement to their classmates.

Greg Martin, of the School of Integrated Technology, asked graduates to look inside themselves and gauge how they will react to adversity, as it comes knocking on their doors.

“Live life to the fullest, and be spontaneous,” he said. “It’ll lead you down paths you didn’t think you’d be on.”

Valedictorian of the School of Engineering Systems Richard Gillespie reminded the crowd that it was a day the group had been working toward for the past 12 years.

“We’ve seen quite a lot of change, but one thing remains constant — we are the Warriors, we are East Wake High School,” Gillespie said.

Like Martin, Health Science valedictorian Emily Sanderson offered her insight on challenges the future will present, but said the good news is friends, like those made in high school, will be there to rely on in times of need.

“Remember the friends, remember the fun,” she said.

In light of the newfound freedom, classes and friends that will come over the college years, Sanderson cautioned not to let studies take a back seat to social life. She recommended making good decisions now that will make all the difference in the future.

Before Lynch’s address, the presentation of diplomas and the turning of tassels, Josh Privette, valedictorian of the School of Arts, Education and Global Studies, offered some final words of encouragement.

“Today is the beginning of the rest of your lives,” Privette said.

He emphasized that graduation wasn’t the end of classes or tests — it only represented another stage completed. He called the graduation a prerequisite for the the rest of the path to come.

“We are beginning to prepare for our real journey,” Privette said. “Do not forget this moment right now.”

Shining light on the subject, Privette comforted parents in the crowd. He reminded them that some of their children will leave home, but they’ll be back when finances run low, for certain.