CHOCOWINITY — Southside High School graduated about 80 students in its commencement ceremony on Saturday.

Southside High was the last of four schools in Beaufort County to host graduation ceremonies that day.

Sarah Shingleton was this year’s valedictorian, and Erica Staats was the salutatorian. Both delivered addresses to the crowd before the awarding of diplomas began.

Shingleton was the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from the State Employees’ Credit Union. The SECU Foundation awards scholarships valued at $10,000 to one student at every public high school.

As part of the 2017 commencement, the Southside High Concert Band performed Michael Sweeney’s “High Water Mark.” Senior class president Jamya Moore gave the invocation, and student government president Leah Windley closed out the ceremony with the benediction.

Washington (noon) Rotary Club member Carol Burtt presented one of the Rotary Scholarship Awards to Daulton O’Neal. Noon Rotary awarded four scholarships this year.

“Our committee was so impressed this year by the quality of the students, not only for their academic work, but their desire to help others in their advanced learning careers they want to pursue, so this year we decided to give a fourth scholarship,” Burtt said.

Principal Clint Johnson, who served as an interim principal this school year, said of 83 seniors, 27 percent planned to attend a four-year college, 55 percent planned to go to a two-year college, 9 percent wanted to go straight into the workforce, and 10 percent planned to enlist in the military.

Johnson said he wishes the best for the newest class of Seahawks alumni.

“My challenge to the senior class is to maintain the relationships you have with everyone and the family that you were given through Southside,” Johnson said. “When you get a family of your own, give it your whole heart, as you give your whole heart to Southside. Thanks, seniors, for such a great year. We are all better people because we’ve known you.”