Whether it’s Sneetches or apostles, everyone is different and valuable.

That was the theme for Trinity Episcopal Day School’s graduation service Sunday afternoon.

While the congregation overflowed the pews, the Rev. Brandt Dick, school chaplain, gave the graduation address, urging the 34 graduating seniors to embrace their gifts and diversity.

“This is Pentecost, and it’s wholly appropriate in some ways as we send out our graduates into the world,” Dick said.

The Christian holiday celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples. The occurrence gave each the ability to speak in a different tongue.

That diversity was reflected in the graduating class and in the world, Dick said.

“God has given each of you gifts or talents,” Dick said. “My final lesson to you consists of identifying your gifts and sharing them with others.”

Dick read from the Dr. Seuss book “The Sneetches,” in which fictional characters’ differences result in discrimination and eventually the realization that differences are valuable.

“Remember that others have gifts to offer us,” Dick said. “Different does not mean worse. Nor does it mean better. It means different. Variety is good, a point Paul was trying to get across.”

Salutatorian Michael Scudiero reminisced about how, in spite of his trepidations, he felt accepted on the first day of school and every day after that.

“Southern hospitality is no stranger to this class,” he said. “Over the years, I began to realize that our class is more like a family. Thank you for some of the best six years of my life.”

Valedictorian Carson Cruise encouraged his classmates to remember the good times and lessons and look to the future.

“”Well guys, we made it,” Cruise said. “We are finally here. Who knew 13 years could go by so quickly?”

During their time at the school, they learned a great deal, he said.

“But always remember that what you don’t know could fill several libraries,” he said.

Lastly, he asked his fellow graduates to live their own lives without regret.

“Have courage to make your own dream and blaze your own pat,” he said. “Keep that in mind as we go out and make names for ourselves.”

After they received their diplomas and were presented as the Class of 2007 to long and thunderous applause, the largest graduating class in the school’s history filed out onto the steps of the church.

Graduate Emily Geter beamed as she joined the crowd.

“I’m very excited and nervous,” Geter said.

Nathan Leigh was excited, too, but had mixed feelings, he said.

“I’m glad to have done all that, but it feels good to be done,” Leigh said.

Chase Jennings said he was thrilled to be starting a new stage in life.

“I’m pretty excited,” he said. “I’m finally done, but with this, we’re starting all over. But I’m still excited.”