VALLEY — The Valley Community Center was filled to capacity Tuesday night with parents, extended family and friends of the Valley High School graduating class, who were gathered to walk across the stage and receive their diplomas.

Valley High School’s graduation was in full swing, despite the showers that were keeping the ceremony inside.

After the students proceeded to their seats in the front of the auditorium, the audience rose for the National Anthem sung by graduating senior Ke’Aunta Marquez Holloway, who was sporting the same bright blue robe worn by the rest of the soon-to-be-graduates.

Following this, Valedictorian Jase Allen Phillips shared his parting thoughts with the rest of the graduating class and thanked the people who helped them get there.

“All of these memories are moments that shape who we are for the rest of our lives,” Phillips said. “As we walk across the stage tonight and spend our last moments together, remember that wherever you go, whatever you do, this is where it all began. This is where our foundation was built.”

His sentiments were echoed by Miss VHS Callie Reagan Pike who began her speech by remembering Blake Thomas Henderson, a classmate who passed away last summer in an automobile accident. A white balloon was present on stage throughout the ceremony in memory of Henderson.

“Senior year is hard for everyone, but it was especially hard for all of us because we lost a dear classmate Blake Henderson,” Pike said. “Tonight, however, we can celebrate, because despite all of the difficult tasks we had to endure over the past year we finally made it.”

Mr. VHS Jared Tyler Chappell spoke to the crowd as well before the names of all students were read and diplomas handed out by Valley High School Principal Sherry Ashe.

Once everyone had turned their tassels, the graduating class sang the Valley High School Alma Mater. Principal Ashe commended the student’s on receiving more than $3 million in scholarship money and congratulated them on their achievements, concluding the ceremony.