Not to sure what it has to do with high school graduation, but that is a rifle that you could use all your long life! I have come to respect .243s over the years, mainly because of my own Ruger. They kill stuff, no fuss, no muss.
I have a '69 flatbolt, too. Mine's an RS .308, and is my do-all deer killin' machine. I didn't get it for graduation, tho, which btw didn't happen till '76.