When Angelica Ruiz referred to Santa Fe High School's graduating class and their families as Jaguars on Thursday, she did two things.

First, the school board president earned herself a chorus of boos from the Demon faithful who packed Ivan Head Stadium.

Secondly, she countered the whole point of her speech, that students probably would remember how they felt at graduation more than anything else, including the speakers.

"I think I just made sure you'll remember who spoke and what was said," Ruiz said, to a laughing, forgiving crowd.

The mistake was due to the recycling of a graduation speech she used at Wednesday's Capital High School commencement ceremony. Ruiz handled the situation with self-deprecating humor, telling everyone that "I deserved" the boos.

After Ruiz, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, the ceremony's guest speaker, thanked teachers and students for their work and singled out individuals for their stories.

She mentioned David Forester, a teacher, for resurrecting the school's student government, and Abigail Fox, another teacher, for earning her National Board Certification.

Denish also mentioned two students for their persistence. One, whose dream it was to join the military and who excelled at ROTC, she said, but struggled with other classes. He fell short of graduating last year, she said, but returned and graduated Thursday.

Another came to New Mexico not knowing English, struggled to learn the language, but walked Thursday, Denish said.

After the ceremony, the crowd cleared the stands to meet their graduates.

Samantha Montaño's family was so proud of her, they came from Michigan, Indiana and California to get in the frame.

Clarissa Garcia was flanked by her parents when she did it.

Isaiah Anaya and his uncle Robert had their arms wrapped tightly around each other's shoulders as they captured the moment.

Leann Trujillo's mother and grandmother smiled widely as they joined her and her 11-month-old daughter to celebrate the occasion.

Even a New Mexican reporter got in on the act, as families felt the image of their children getting interviewed was worth remembering.

More than 300 students walked across the stage to hear their name called and receive a diploma.

"It was hard because I didn't get to be like everyone else," Trujillo said, "I had a baby when I was a junior, so it's a really big accomplishment." She said she plans to attend Santa Fe Community College and study nursing.

Garcia, who plans to attend Lamar Community College in Lamar, Colo., and play softball, said she was excited about finishing high school.

"I might (miss it)," she said, "but I'm going on to better things."

Contact John Sena at 986-3079 or jsena@sfnewmexican.com.