Taking 13 years of public education and almost $1.5 million in scholarships, Lehi High School's graduating class closed the doors on their high school years last Thursday.

"We have all been given the same amount of time," he told the class. "And where we are tomorrow will depend on what we do with that time."

While addressing the graduating class, school principal Charles Bearce got emotional as he saw more than 30 hygienic face masks on the faces of the graduating girls.

Showing touching support, the girls put on the masks to support fellow classmate McKenzie Truth Houghton who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma during her sophomore year at Lehi and recently underwent a bone marrow transplant to help fight the disease.

Because of her medical issues she had to protect her health from getting infections from others.

"So she was wearing one for her protection and all of a sudden we saw these masks being passed out and we didn't know it at the time," said Principal Chuck Bearce in a later interview. "We've known McKenzie has been battling it for years and it has recurred again and she is continuing to battle for her health and to see the show of support that her friends and her class had for her it still chokes me up."

Setting the bar of bravery high, Houghton is continuing her second round of treatment and plans on continuing her education after graduation.

"Our greatest blessings come from people who refused to be complacent," Bearce said to the strong class sitting before him.

Another surprise show of support for a second McKenzie, McKenzie Pierce, was anticipated by a few administrators.

McKenzie's mother Sandy Pierce arranged to have her dad, John Pierce, send a video of himself from Iraq where he is serving as a Navy Reserve convoy security escort with a construction battalion or "CBs." He will be home in the fall.

In the recording he congratulated his daughter and the class of 2008 for their accomplishments. Mari Braithwaite, LHS assistant principal, and Dustin Topham, the school's communication and media teacher, arranged to have the video cut into the farewell DVD show that was broadcast overhead at the Marriott Center at the close of commencement exercises.

"She didn't know," said Bearce. "She was crying."

"Her mom and I talked about it and thought it would be great if we could do something," said assistant principal Mari Braithwaite in a later interview. "I just think that it's great that he was able to do it. They sacrifice so much. His family has sacrificed a lot."

Encouraging the 519 members not to sell themselves short or their potential, classmate Todd Lenhart spoke of the "millions of doors" that have opened for them.

"Imagination is only the starting point for something else, everything else," he said. "After you imagine, you have to get out and explore life and all of its wonderful opportunities."

Instead of recognizing top valedictorian or salutatorian honors, Lehi High chooses to honor their 20 top students, and holds try-outs for who would address the class. Addressing the class were Todd Lenhart, Stephanie Baker and Ben Omer.

Although the day of high school graduation is never forgotten, Stephanie Baker reminded students that although a couple chapters of their "life novel" has passed, the most important ones are the "blank pages to come."

"Through our high school adventure, we have only begun defining ourselves," she said.