LAKEWOOD – A few weeks ago, Alex Williams played the role of funny man Willard Hewitt in Lakewood High School’s play, “Footloose.”

But as the student-selected speaker at graduation Friday night, Williams took on a more-serious role.

Williams said as a “Lakewood Lifer” he has seen the culture in the town change. When he was younger, he noticed more cliques. But as he got older and got to know people in some of the different groups, he said, “We aren’t actually as different as we think we are.”

He said they’ve been able to find things that they can relate to each other about. “It’s a beautiful thing to see.”

As for school itself, he said it was, “most important they learned how to learn.”

He said he’d been concerned if someone really knew the definition of a complex math concept.

When someone in the audience spouted off the definition, Williams showed his whit for comedic timing, saying, “You do the speech if you’re so smart.”

The crowd laughed.

He also had the audience chuckling earlier when he claimed Cougar Creek was the best of the district’s three grade schools.

Valedictorian Kimberly Epperson also spoke, encouraging her fellow graduates to follow their passions. She also said in their lives they are going to have more opportunities, but also more obstacles.

Mike Fellows, the faculty speaker, said he encouraged his students to ask questions so they could learn to think for themselves.

Before the 143 graduates were handed their diplomas, Superintendent Michael Mack was honored for his service. This graduating class was in the first grade when he started with the district. They gave him a standing ovation.

Mack is retiring from the district and is taking an education job in Saudi Arabia.

“I’m a better person for knowing you and watching you grow,” he said.