The chance of sun and promise of a grand celebration brought hundreds of family and friends out to Fort Williams Park Sunday for the Cape Elizabeth Class of 2006 graduation.

With cameras flashing, 147-gowned graduates strode proudly through the crowd to take their seats on the stone steps of the park amphitheater and listen to words from school faculty and fellow graduates.

The resounding theme of the day’s celebration was the dedication of these graduates toward each other and toward achieving excellence in every aspect of their lives.

“I salute you, class of 2006, for your energy, your decency and your support of one another,” said Principal Jeffrey Shedd in his opening speech to the graduates.

Shedd went on to say that, at other high schools, a passion for academic achievement is stigmatized as “nerdy.” But, at Cape Elizabeth High School, there are no so-called “nerds,” he said, because everyone strives to succeed.

While giving out class excellence awards, Shedd singled out Michael Kertes, high school football star and scholar.

Shedd said that, after an “academic crater” in his early high school career, Kertes bloomed, not only to become a wonderful student and athlete, but also a caring member of the class who school officials often called upon to check up on other students.

Valedictorian Mary Cox talked of how her class grew up in a world filled with technology and gave thanks to the many parents in the audience for their guidance.

“Our class is molded by more than the media and technology of our time. Our class is shaped by all of you seated before us,” she said. “Parents of the class of 2006, we thank you.”

Leaning on crutches at the podium, graduate Conor Hankinson unwound a humorous monologue that took light-hearted jabs at the affluence of the Cape Elizabeth community and mocked himself for breaking his ankle at a pre-graduation party.

“It’s always helpful to know if you break your ankle in Cape, there is always a doctor within 50 feet,” he said.

Hankinson said he couldn’t have asked for a better town to grow up in and that the small town of Cape Elizabeth holds values that every graduate should embrace: the values of excellence, acceptance and compassion.

“If you can live by the values of this society, you will live a happy and rewarding life,” he told his class.

In her faculty address, English teacher Erica Kent told the graduates that, as they bounded in the future, to stop once in awhile and realize the beauty all around them.

“You belong to the world,” she said in a long, poetic speech. “I only ask you to remember to pause and truly see what’s around you.”

With all eyes watching, the sun broke through the clouds as the graduates walked, cap and gown, one by one to accept their diplomas.

And with a flutter of caps in the air, the graduates cheered on this final moment, this final step in completion of their high school career, looking toward the promise of tomorrow with thankful smiles – a future that will be defined, as Valedictorian Cox said in her speech, by the varied paths of these graduates.

“We, the class of 2006, are the future,” she said. “And the future is bright.”