For the first time in 44 years, Green Mountain High School had to use its back up plan when it came to graduation on May 18.

Instead of graduating the 251 members of the class of 2017 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, as has been the school's tradition, the rain and snow mix drove families, friends and graduates to the school's gym.

But that didn't damper the enthusiasm of any of the graduates.

"We have an incredible staff here at the Ram Nation, and they helped make everything here as special as possible," principal Colleen Owens said. "But any day is a beautiful day for a graduation."

The class of the 2017 was part of three state championships, two in baseball and one in gymnastics. It was also the fifth graduating class to go through the school's academy program.

In her senior address, Susana Juarez extolled her classmates to go out and improve a world that is more fractured than ever before.

"As a class we've witnessed a lot of history," she said. "It's up to our class and generation to go and changed the world."

Faculty speaker Bryan Keiser celebrated four years of life changing experiences with the students, and encouraged them to be proactive in going after their dreams and goals.

"We don't know what our futures hold, but we've reached the peak of these past four years," said senior speaker Emelia Kamadulski. "Today, we're united. Today, there are no missing pieces."