Congrats, Los Gatos High Class of 2013!

An airplane graduation banner hovered low over Los Gatos High School Friday afternoon with the message, "Congrats Jeff VK & LGHS 2013."

But the aircraft's engine sound wasn't loud enough to dull the whistles, cheers and shouts of joy given by more than 430 seniors and their loved ones as the 125th commencement exercise began on the campus' front lawn.

The high school terrace was packed with people, Main Street shut down to traffic and the Class of 2013 received its high school diplomas after three brief student speeches and parting words from LGHS Principal Markus Autrey.

Student Emma McAdams told the graduates to remember those who helped them throughout their young lives, calling them human Band Aids. "They won't be around next year ... but there will be others," she reassured.

"You can't be afraid of failure. It's the only way of knowing you gave it all you had. It's the only way of teaching yourself a lesson about the person that you really are," she said.

Graduate Caroline Sedgwick counseled her peers to draw on things learned to overcome challenges and obstacles.

" ... We will begin to encounter situations that we'll need to handle on our own," she said. "When we gain our independence, we may not have such a strong support system to fall back on. We must utilize what others have taught us throughout our lives and use it to help ourselves."

She added: "You can become your greatest friend and your best mentor."

Speaker Christina Gilbert had only words of encouragement for her classmates: "Do you have any idea about how talented and ridiculously awesome you are? From CCS champions, to award-winning artists, we have gifted students in every field imaginable."

Gilbert, however, also recalled how the Class of 2013 cried together when it lost dear friends.

Among those who was supposed to be in the graduating class was Shea Shaw,  who in January of 2011 was hit while walking across a street by an SUV driver leaving her disabled and unable to return to school after suffering a severe brain injury.

Shea happened to be the audience, however, with her mother to watch her friends graduate.

Gilbert also said the Class of 2013 was one of the most college bound groups in recent history, with many attending Cal Poly, Tufts, the University of Michigan, Stanford and Yale. "We have representation at more schools than we've ever had before," she noted.

Autrey, in his jovial manner, thanked the graduates for making the past four years memorable. "Mostly good," he remarked. "It's our absolute hope that each of you will prepare for what lies ahead, for the universities that you'll attend, for the work that you'll do and for the travel here and abroad."

The principal told the seniors to leave high school optimistic about the future. "This is your chance," he said. "Take the opportunities that you have."

He ended: "For today, goodbye. For tomorrow, good luck and guess what? For forever, go wildcats."

The class was then formally presented to Los Gatos Saratoga High School District trustees in attendance, including district superintendent Bob Mistele.

Among those in the audience cheering for the graduates were LGHS juniors Sarah Sterry and Sydney Heald. "They're a super talented group with many who will become famous politicians and fashion designers," said Sterry.

LGHS economics and business teacher Erol Ceran said the students would be celebrating the big day by attending grad night Friday evening 10:30 p.m.-5 a.m. in the school's large gym.

What was LGHS' senior prank this year?

"Rumor has it that they planted poppy flower seeds on the front lawn in the form of the year 2013 and since it's a protected perennial, the school won't be able to do anything about," laughed one of the students in the crowd, who divulged the unreliable information with a big laugh.

ALSO ON LOS GATOS PATCH:

• Shea Shaw Attends LGHS Graduation
• Video: Los Gatos High School Graduation Class of 2013
• 10 Questions for Los Gatos High School Salutatorian Allison Mar