Ryan Markel would have graduated with his Depew High School classmates Saturday, and in a sense, he did.

The Class of 2009 remembered one of their own who died in swim class when they were in sixth grade, and his family remembered them.

Every college-bound member of the graduating class received the Ryan Markel Scholarship on Saturday.

“I don’t want people to forget my Ryan,” said his mother, Sandy Markel.

Two students received $500 scholarships, and 167 others received $100 from the Ryan’s Hope Foundation.

“I thought it was kind of neat to be able to do this,” said Charlie Markel, Ryan’s father.

“I think he’d think it was pretty cool, helping his friends out,” Sandy Markel added.

When Ryan died at age 11, many people donated money, and the family put it into a fund. The Markels became tireless champions of pool safety and CPR and external automated defibrillators. They have taught about 4,000 people how to perform CPR through the foundation.

They charged $20 per class, and after paying for supplies, any extra money went into the fund, as well as money that would have gone toward Ryan’s allowance, Christmas and birthday presents.

“We’ve been saving money for this,” Sandy Markel said. “We’ve been waiting for the class to graduate.”

Each senior received a letter with a note from Ryan’s parents and sister, Amanda, congratulating them on their graduation.

“We wish you the best as you start a new chapter in your life and thank you for being a part of Ryan’s life as his classmates and friends. He is smiling on all of you today,” the letter says.

A page in this year’s yearbook was dedicated to Ryan, and the senior class gave the Markels a DVD that includes a tribute to their son. The class also bought the rights to name a star in Ryan’s memory.

The family attended Saturday’s graduation, where there was a memorial display in the foyer. It included Ryan’s photograph, a graduation cap and a poem. During the ceremony, a classmate read a letter about Ryan and called the Markels onstage.

Although it was bittersweet, there was no place they would rather have been, and they believe that Ryan was there with his classmates. “I’m happy for them,” Sandy Markel said.

No one has ever given such a generous scholarship to Depew seniors, Principal Carol A. Townsend said.

“I think it’s wonderful,” she said. “This was a tragic event for all of us. I can remember that day as clear as it was yesterday.”

The Markels have been through a lot since that day, including Amanda’s sudden collapse at home two summers ago. Sandy and Charlie performed the CPR that saved her life.

“We’re the poster family for CPR,” Charlie Markel said.

He said they will continue teaching people how to do CPR and giving the two annual scholarships.

“No matter how tough you have it, somebody has it worse,” he said, “so you have to give back where you can.”