Countless legends of the music industry have performed on this famous stage for 44 years, but last week, it was the Class of 2016 that rocked the house.

Oxford High School launched 341 graduates into the world following the May 26 commencement ceremony held at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Independence Township.

Superintendent Tim Throne reassured graduates that although they’re now “out on (their) own,” they will never be alone because Oxford is always in their corner.

“I want you to know that you can continue to trust in all of us to stand behind you and to propel you forth with confidence as you encounter the challenges and blessings ahead,” he said. “We will be cheering for you every step of the way. Go Wildcats!”

A total of 177 (or 51.9 percent) of the class graduated with some form of academic honors.

At the very top of the list were valedictorians Joseph DeChicchis and Anne Johnson followed by salutatorians Nickolas Hershman, Bradley Vandecar and Hannah Long.

Johnson and DeChicchis each provided some well wishes and words of inspiration for their fellow graduates.

“I want to wish the Class of 2016 the best of luck,” Johnson said. “I know we will do great things, especially if you remember the life lessons that we have all learned here at Oxford. Be happy, be generous, be kind and you will never face a challenge you can’t overcome.”

“I challenge you (to) choose peace, choose compassion and choose reason,” DeChicchis said. “And most importantly, choose to use the word ‘we’ – not just to mean your friends and family or your fellow citizens, but to mean humanity as a whole. Remember, think globally and act locally. And never forget, from this commencement on, that we can change the world.”

Rounding out the Class of 2016’s Top Scholars were Hannah Alexander, Jacob Alexander, Michaela Allen, Jason Clark, Casey Conley, Devon Davenport, Dasanae Davis, Charles Devlin, Vanessa Dihn, Jared Dymond, Tyler Essenmacher, Katherine Gutherie, Sydney Hill, Rebekah Krol, Hannah Long, Makayla Marshall, Katrese Moll, Isabella Paese, William Quackenbush, Nathan Sharpe, Hannah Yoo and Emily Zeliasko.

Dasanae Davis, who prefers to be called by her middle name, Precious, was selected to give a special speech as the official Senior Speaker.

Instead of asking her fellow graduates to consider what they want “to do” with their lives, Davis requested they contemplate who they “want to be” because this will help them deal with whatever life throws at them.

“It is in those times you wonder when things will get better that you need to have a mantra to believe in,” she said. “A mantra that will focus you on who you really want to become. A mantra that guides you closer to your future self. Whatever mantra that is, know that (personal) change is inevitable, but the type of change you undergo is your choice.

“If you’re not yet who you want to become, then no worries. You have the duration of a lifetime to figure it out and to explore this vast world.”

Davis, a member of the National Honor Society, graduated Summa Cum Laude as a Top Scholar. She’s also an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma candidate.

Through the QuestBridge program, she received a full-ride scholarship to Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York.

There, Davis will pursue a degree in neuroscience and behavior.

QuestBridge is a non-profit program that links high-achieving, low-income students with educational and scholarship opportunities at leading colleges and universities in the United States.