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ASHLEY FRANSCELL/Daily Herald Samuel Smith waits to file into the McKay Events Center for American Fork High School graduation Thursday, May 31, 2007 in Orem.

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ASHLEY FRANSCELL/Daily Herald "I just don't feel old enough," said Shayda Mortezazadeh, right, to Hillary Waldron, left, before American Fork High School's graduation Thursday, May 31, 2007 at the McKay Events Center in Orem.

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ASHLEY FRANSCELL/Daily Herald American Fork High School seniors stand in line as they wait for the rest of their classmates to line the floor of the McKay Events Center for American Fork High School graduation Thursday, May 31, 2007 in Orem.

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Electricity filled the McKay Events Center Thursday as 400 graduating seniors culminated 12 years of education at American Fork High School.

The overflowing auditorium was filled with a standing-room only crowd, with family, friends and teachers all honoring the class of 2007.

The focus of the program was on the senior theme, “Try not to become someone of success, but rather try to become someone of value,” a quote from Albert Einstein.

Seniors Jordan Kitchen, Jared Holloway, Kevin Lieu, Samuel H. Smith, Kyle Kiriyama, Abdul Kalumbi and Jerry Mefford gave tributes to the student body, teachers and parents.

Valedictorian Samuel Smith said, in regards to the theme, “Have we become someone of value in the processfi I am certain everyone in this room can answer, ‘Yes.’ “

In addition to the student talks, Principal Carolyn Merrill gave two special Awards of Excellence to faculty voted on by the student body during the school year.

Laurel Shelley, an English and Latin teacher, was given the first award for the impact she had on students. Her acceptance of the award came in the form of advice to students — “Carpe Diem!”

The audience gave a standing ovation to teacher Ann Jaussi’s Award of Excellence. She is retiring after more than two decades of teaching at American Fork High School.

In an emotional response to the audience applause, she said, “It has been my privilege to teach at American Fork for 27 years. Thank you.”

The graduation ceremony ended with a video made up of pictures taken throughout the year.

Graduating seniors were awarded more than 200 scholarships this year.

Number of graduating students: 460

Avg Grade point: 3.25

Theme: Try not to become someone of success, but rather try to become someone of value

Factoid: One of the most famous graduates is Derek Smith, player for the NFL San Francisco 49’ers. He graduated in 1993.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.