By Matt Rogers l Photos by Angelina Bellebuono
For more photos, see Page 10C.

Family and friends packed the stands. Some fanned themselves because of the heat, others waved to the rest of their party. Conversations fused into one incomprehensible roar, and, all at once, ceased.
Cue the caps and gowns.

The faculty entered the field; at the goal line, teachers lined up to make room for the graduates. Led by junior marshals, the seniors walked past their teachers. Some even exchanged handshakes.
The crowd began cheering, clapping, yelling. “Oh! There she is!"

Friday night, under the lights of Bill Corry Stadium, Morgan County High School graduated 207 seniors.
Superintendent Dr. Stan DeJarnett congratulated the graduating seniors on the accomplishment.
“I couldn't be more proud of the class you've become,” he said. “We know you all earned that diploma.”
Valedictorian Emily DeJarnett related life to music.

“[Music is] nothing without the passion of the performer,” she said. “Music is worthless if there isn't an audience to hear it.”

“We are entering a whole new part of life which is unknown and that can be scary,” salutatorian Elizabeth Rogers said. “We must not be a generation of excuses that does just enough to get by."

While now-graduates had fresh diplomas in hand, Robert Prior performed “Time of the Year” by Better than Ezra, chosen to be the 2010 MCHS graduation song.

The ceremony, the culmination of a 13-year student career, was over and done with in about 75 minutes.

Printed in the June 3, 2010 edition.