VISTA -- More than 1,300 students grabbed their diplomas with nervous excitement as family members looked on proudly Wednesday in Vista graduation ceremonies.

Vista Unified School District's two main high schools -- Vista High and Rancho Buena Vista High -- celebrated with ceremonies at each campus.

"Today is the beginning of our lives as adults," Kathryn Nemmers, senior class president at Rancho Buena Vista, told her classmates. At Rancho Buena Vista, more than 700 students graduated Wednesday.

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Before the ceremony, many of the students said they were excited to be done with school and to face the future, though several also said they'd be sad to say goodbye to long-time friends and the life they've known as high school students over the last four years.

"It's sad and exciting at the same time," valedictorian Katherine Zhao said as she waited with the rest of her class to file into Rancho Buena Vista's stadium. "I'm just really excited about what the future has in store."

The ceremony gave family members a chance to show the graduating seniors how proud they are of them, said Kevin Cesare, whose son was part of this year's graduating class.

"I'm just waiting for him to get his diploma," he said, "and then we'll start celebrating."

For some, the realization that many of the students would be entering the working world soon was a scary one, considering the state of the economy and current job market.

"I just hope that they have something to look forward to," said Donna Ivicevic, whose granddaughter graduated Wednesday. "Work's tough out there."

Across town at Vista High School, hundreds of friends and family members packed the stands at Dick Haines Stadium to cheer on the roughly 650 graduates.

"This is wonderful," said Phyllis Koons of Oceanside, whose grandson Trevor Koons was a member of the VHS class of 2009.

Trevor's other grandparents, Cis and George Puricelli of Pleasanton, were also on hand for the festivities.

"We're so happy to be here and so proud of him," Cis Puricelli said, as a stream of Panther graduates filed into the stadium, crossing under an archway of colorful flowers and heading toward long rows of white folding chairs that fanned out across the football field.

Speakers at the ceremony included co-valedictorians Amy Bray and Erin Inman, salutatorian Blake McGinness, Associated Student Body President Stephanie DeMaria and Senior Class President Erica Martinez.

"Today is a day for looking forward, a day of optimism and hope," Martinez said as she stood before her classmates. "We must grasp the memories and the lessons we have learned -- they are the foundation for our future."

After the ceremony, graduate Lauren Mitchell said it felt great to have crossed such a big milestone.

"I'm so excited," she said, as she celebrated with best friend Taylor Mauritzen, also part of the Class of 2009. "I'm heading to college next year, so I'm really looking forward to that."

Lauren said the all-night study sessions she completed on her way to graduation were memorable, but the friendships she made at Vista High made the biggest impression.

"I think I'll remember my friends the most," she added.

Call staff writer Stacy Brandt at 760-901-4009.