Proud parents, family members and supporters of local students filled the stands at J.G. Choppy Wagner Stadium on Saturday morning as the Washington High School Class of 2019 set off into the future. A total of 220 seniors turned their tassels during the graduation program.

A number of special awards were presented during the ceremony, including:

• Best All-Around Girl — Summer Campbell
• Morgan Patterson Best All-Around Award — Ka’ci Foreman
• Ed and Eltha Booth Family Scholarship — Treshon Damont Smith
• P.S. Jones Alumni Association Scholarship — Kamiah Quinteria Keyes and Treshon Damont Smith
• Johnson and Wells University National Student Organization Scholarship — Makayla Moore
• Kiwanis Club of Washington Scholarship — Cassie Teixeira
• TriCounty Foundation Scholarship — Summer Campbell

“The Class of 2019 was offered more than $1 million in awards and scholarships and has accepted $967,902 in awards and scholarships,” WHS Principal Michael Swinson said.

Hearing from Salutatorian Madison Bunting, the Class of 2019 reflected together on the past four years of their lives at Washington High School. Bunting encouraged her classmates to use their gifts to improve their own lives and the lives of others.

“These four years have flown by so quickly,” Bunting said. “I know when we were doing homework, studying or taking a test, it felt like an eternity. Looking back, it happened at the speed of light.”

Prior to passing out diplomas, the class together took a moment to honor the memory of Zaviona Gibbs, a classmate who passed away three weeks ago. Once each student had the chance to receive their documents, the group heard words of wisdom from Valedictorian Sam Martin.

“Be bold. Be courageous,” Martin implored his classmates. “Going forward from today, as you enter your next stage of life, be willing to get into the arena and to sail away from safe harbor and experience all the highs and lows life has to offer.”