From a distance, it was hard to tell Rock Bridge High School graduates apart as they formed a patch of Kelly green caps and gowns last night on the floor of the Hearnes Center at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

G.J. McCarthy photo

Seniors of Rock Bridge High School assemble as the school’s largest graduating class ever yesterday in the Hearnes Center at MU. The school graduated 501 students.

But the Bruins are different, commencement speaker Lucas Tomicki pointed out. They come from different backgrounds and cultures; they’ve overcome unique challenges to earn a diploma; and they all face different futures, said Lucas, who was chosen by peers to speak at the graduation ceremony.

Some of the 501 graduates - Rock Bridge’s largest class - will go on to attend community college or a four-year university. Others will join the military or immediately enter the work force. Some will become husbands and wives and parents over the next few years.

The seniors have mapped out their plans as well as can be expected.

Stephanie Gilpin is attending Moberly Community College with an ultimate goal of majoring in elementary education. She wants to return to Columbia Public Schools as a teacher.

"It’s home," she said, standing outside the Hearnes Center with her family before the graduation ceremonies. "I loved Fairview" Elementary School, "so I’d like to go back there."

"She’s good with kids," said her mom, L’Wana Berry. "She’s creative and artistic and works in a day care now, so it’s a perfect fit."

Ryan Ott, who said he found Rock Bridge "pretty easy," plans to major in physics and math at MU. As he stood on the campus last night, Ryan admitted he doesn’t know yet how he will apply his education to a career, only that it should be satisfying.

"Money isn’t really that important, as long as I’m doing something I’m happy with," he said.

Ja’Mia Williams will take her Rock Bridge education to a culinary arts institute in Chicago, where she plans to become a master chef. Ja’Mia said she specializes in "everything, as long as I’m in the kitchen." She plans to open her own restaurant but doesn’t know where.

Mary McGuire is heading to Moberly Community College but isn’t yet sure what she wants to become, other than a wife. She and 2004 Rock Bridge graduate Ricky Conatser plan to wed in the next couple of years.

Kelvin Anderson is also going to the Moberly college, where he wants to study graphic arts.

Whatever their career goals, Lucas, who came to Columbia from Poland in 2004, warned his fellow Bruins not to give up, even if success isn’t easy.

"The world of your dreams will always be difficult," he said. "You will hear ‘No, no, no.’ And then you will hear ‘Yes.’ And you only have to hear ‘yes’ once to succeed."

Lucas also reminded the Bruins that, though they differ from one another, they earned their places in the commencement together. "We’re all here tonight, and we are all about to walk across the stage," he said. "And that is what success is to me."