An empty chair honored the memory of Sabrina Roberts, a singer and thespian who died in February 2010, while a few rows from the front sat Zackery Lystedt in a wheel chair as a hero among Tahoma High’s 517 graduating seniors.

On Friday night Tahoma’s class of 2011 celebrated the end of high school with an emotional graduation ceremony at White River Amphitheatre.

It began with speeches from the salutorians including a speech by Cort Hammond interwoven with music as the founding member of the Green Team belted out U2 and Pearl Jam among others.

Gretchen Wulfing, We the People teacher, gave the staff address as selected by the seniors and gave the soon-to-be graduates (including her daughter) four commands as well as expressed her pride in the group.

But the highlight of the evening was when Lystedt, who was injured in eighth grade in a football game, walked with a cane and some assistance across the stage to receive his diploma. His classmates rose to give Lystedt a standing ovation and filled the air with thunderous applause.

Lystedt suffered a a head injury during the football game at the age of 13. The state Legislature passed the Lystedt Law in 2009. The law states young athletes must have a doctor’s approval to return to a athletic game if there is a possibility of a concussion.