The Wareham High School class of 2017 has left the building!

The middle school, that is.

On Monday, approximately 200 students donned blue gowns and accepted certificates for the completion of their studies at Wareham Middle School.

"Your goal is to successfully complete your high school career so that you are prepared for life's successes, challenges, and responsibilities," Principal Howard Gilmore told the students.

It was Gilmore's last group of 8th-graders, as he is retiring.

"I couldn't think of ending my career, retiring, with another class," he said.

Valedictorians were Sara Tyma and Brett McSherry.

Noting that, at the beginning of the school year, she was excited to finish middle school, Tyma told her classmates: "Over the past few days, I've just wanted to stop time."

"Be optimistic," Tyma continued, "and look to the future unafraid."

McSherry asked her students not to forget their past experiences, where ever they end up: "Just remember how you got there," she said.

A total of 22 students were awarded the President's Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, which requires students to maintain a grade point average of 90 or above for the entire middle school career.

Lana Nguyen was awarded the annual Norman Sylvester Citizenship Award, named for the late School Committee member and devoted supporter of Wareham's youth.

Norman Sylvester's daughter, Stacey, was on hand to deliver the award to Nguyen.

Noting that each choice the students make will ultimately impact their futures, Sylvester told the class: "Always remember to make good choices and make good decisions."