Often it seems at high school graduations, it's the grandparents who are smiling the most.

Such was the case Saturday at the 55th official graduation ceremony at Pojoaque Valley High School. (Some say Pojoaque graduations, in some variation, go back to 1944.)

"He's such a good boy," said Irma Vargas, grandmother of graduate Manny Vargas of Española, a National Honor Society student and lover of horses. "I am so proud of him."

She said Manny is planning to become a veterinarian.

Evelyn Naranjo of San Ildefonso Pueblo was scouring the green-and-white balloon-festooned Ben Luján Gymnasium after the ceremony. She was searching for four grandchildren, all among the 125 Pojoaque graduates of 2011. "I think I set some kind of record," she said.

"Please write their names down," she told a reporter. So, they are Tenisha Garcia, Mariah Peña, Dalton Torres and Rene Aguilar.

Helping ensure all four made it through to graduation wasn't an easy task, she said.

"Oh, it was such a struggle, but it brings me to tears now," Naranjo said.

And the pottery teacher said she still has 19 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren to get through high school.

Naranjo said the four have not yet decided on career choices. "It's still in their vision of thoughts. It's not this moment that is time for decisions."

Alvin Lewis drove down from Acoma Pueblo to watch Forrest Titla climb the stage to receive his diploma. "He's the first of our grandchildren (to graduate)," Lewis said.

Vicki Espinoza of Hernández brought a family heirloom of sorts — a copper cowbell used by her grandfather to herd goats and sheep. She rang it loudly as granddaughter Sally Espinoza-Sanchez passed by.

"Look at her," Vicki Espinoza said. "She's so beautiful. We are so proud."

Graduations are about speeches strewn with similes and metaphors involving pathways, choices, opportunities and new journeys, and occasionally not-so-common metaphors, such as "using the tools in your toolbox" to achieve success.

Most speakers Saturday in the hot gymnasium delivered advice that was short and to the point. School Board President Sharon Dogruel reminded the graduates that they live in a country where there are "so many choices, so many opportunities." Rep. Ben Ray Luján, a 1990 Pojoaque graduate, offered greetings from President Barack Obama. Luján relayed a message from the president: "Tell them the president of the United States says congratulations."

As for advice for the grads, Luján said simply, "When you go out in the world, it's best to hold hands and stick together."

By the conclusion of the keynote address by Ken Gonzales, U.S attorney for New Mexico and a 1983 Pojoaque graduate, students were tossing around beach balls.

A high school graduation also is about the smaller things not directly connected to "the first day of the rest of your life" axioms.

There was teacher Susan Halford reminding the graduating students not to chew gum; graduate and vocalist Candace Vargas hitting the high notes of the "Star-Spangled Banner" so right-on that one would think the balloons would burst; a voice in the crowd yelling down to a grad, "We love you," and the young man returning the call.

It also was the last time school office receptionist Karen Vigil, retiring after 25 years with the district, would read the names of the graduates as she has done for a decade or more.

Of the 2011 class, Vigil remarked, "They were very timid (four years ago). Now they are very mature. They have become good decision-makers. ... They have blossomed."