By NATHAN HOWELL / Special to the Reporter 

MONTEVALLO – The McChesney Student Activity Center on the University of Montevallo campus was filled with smiles, cheers, laughter and even tears May 20 as the graduating class walked across the stage to receive their diplomas.

“I’m very proud to present this graduating class,” said Dr. Brandon Turner, MHS principal. “The sacrifice to get here is extremely important to consider.”

Nearly 100 seniors received diplomas Monday night, including SGA president Ahtziri Chavez, Salutatorian Miriam Hernández and Valedictorian Leah Waites.

“We thought this day would never come and now we are finally here,” Hernández said. “We carried a lot of stress, however we learned to push through and now here we are.”

Waites used her address to thank the multitude of people who have helped her throughout her high school career, including parents, teachers and the many friends she’s made along the way.

However, she chose to use her time at the end to emphasize the importance of political action.

“We deserve better than what we have,” she said. “In this world apathy kills, so I’ll say this: Please care.”

Students sat anxiously while Tena Niven, MHS teacher, called out each student’s name one by one to award the diplomas.

Family members were asked to wait until after all names were called to cheer, but this proved to be futile as most people could not contain their pride and excitement for their loved ones’ achievement.

Many of the students plan on going to different colleges in the fall, several had signaled that they joined the United States Armed Forces and many others will go on to join the workforce.

No matter what path they choose, the students walked out of the auditorium having completed a significant milestone.