While Pilgrim High School seniors anxiously waited to walk into the field house at the Community College of Rhode Island on Thursday night, Caitlin Young quietly looked over the crowd of soon-to-be graduates from her balcony spot at the end of the line. She would be the last person ever to graduate from “traditional” Pilgrim, she said.

Next year, Pilgrim will welcome hundreds of new students following the closure of Warwick Veterans High School, and already nostalgic seniors feel the school they knew is changing. But valedictorian Daniel Peladeau urged his fellow graduates to think positively about change.

“This is just the beginning for all of you,” Peladeau said during his speech at the graduation ceremony. “It is the perfect time to make the changes you want.”

Mayor Scott Avedisian, a Pilgrim alumnus, also discussed the positive changes the new graduates might make, saying “some of our city’s best days are ahead of us” thanks to the abilities of the Class of 2016.

“Please continue to use your remarkable talents, intelligence and creativity to make a positive impact, not only here in Warwick, but wherever your path in life may lead you,” Avedisian said in his speech.

During the ceremony, 209 graduates were awarded diplomas in the culmination of a successful year for the school. Interim Principal Pamela Bernardi acknowledged Pilgrim’s athletic programs for collecting seven state titles in Division II and III sports, including co-op hockey and Unified basketball. Bernardi also praised the academic achievements of the class, which had already garnered more than $1 million in college scholarships and grants. She congratulated students planning to enter the armed forces and career fields from medicine to fine arts to computer science.

“Clearly, our grads are passionate about their studies and are ready to pursue their goals,” Bernardi said.

Salutatorian Nicole Morales also said she was “immensely proud” of the Class of 2016 and had high hopes for the future.

“I want you to conquer the world,” she told the crowd of new graduates. “Be kind, selfless and live your dreams.”