Galesburg School District officials said goodbye to nearly 300 high school graduates in a ceremony that was free of major outbursts, noisemakers and silly string.

Seniors Hayley Hawkinson, Ben Taylor and Austin Meeker addressed their classmates Sunday afternoon---talking about the past, the present and the future. Glenn Busse gave the faculty address to the class.

Busse, a teacher for 36 years who's retiring, challenged members of the Class of 2008 choose careers they want to work in, instead of taking the safe path and being swayed by a job that simply pays well.

Busse told the graduates to be positive, tune out people who tell them they can't fulfill their dreams, and do what they want.

This year's commencement was a stark contrast to last year's, when people in the audience became disruptive and the administration held some students accountable by temporarily withholding their diplomas. The situation resulted in national media attention, and the school board earlier this spring approved changes to the graduation policy in an effort to avoid problems again this year.

Included in the graduation programs were inserts that spelled out what was considered appropriate behavior, and what wasn't. Officials also reminded the audience of the expectations before the graduates' names were read.

The ceremony also included the singing of "Friends" by the GHS Jazz Choir, and recognition of the new academic hall of fame members, the top seniors and principal scholars and the George Washington Gale Scholars.

Click here to hear the GHS Graduation Ceremony (mp3 format)