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Celebrated as the class that came together, found its groove and left its mark, the Clarksburg High School Class of 2009 met one last time Monday for graduation.

The ceremony was at Knott Arena at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg.

The 353 graduates, Clarksburg's second graduating class, spent ninth grade in other high schools — Damascus, Watkins Mill or Seneca Valley — and were transferred to Clarksburg High as sophomores.

Student speaker Kelsey Smith, 17, of Germantown began her talk with the memory of her first sophomore cross-country practice, when she tied her shoes, looked around and realized she did not know anyone. It was a feeling she was certain many of her classmates also had at the time.

"That day [we] were thrown into an ocean of unfamiliar people," Smith said.

Students united as a class and organized events such as the first Mr. Clarksburg contest, prom, new clubs and service organizations and became a class known for "no cliques, no judgment and one of choices for all," Smith said.

They truly became a class to "Rep the Burg," a slogan that exemplifies how they represented Clarksburg and what they did to inspire future classes, Principal James Koutsos said.

"Like everyone, I was a transplant in 10th grade. There were many people I didn't know," said Mark Russell, 17, of Boyds. "This year, I have friends from everywhere. It's a great school."

Advanced placement biology teacher Jacki Bragg delivered the commencement address.

"[A]nyone who would say that there are no more heroes in the world has never been to Clarksburg High School and has never spent any time with the Class of 2009," she said. "To me, a true hero is a person that inspires us with the dignity and resolve with which they live every day of their life, who has the courage to overcome adversity and succeed, who fights the important battles that affect us all even when nobody's looking."