Bouncy balls are not the typical senior prank, but this year’s graduating class kept the balls coming as each candidate travelled across the stage, shook hands with the principal, and ‘not so secretively’ dropped a ball in his hand.

Senior Shelby Smith touched on all of the many awards the class of 2013 contributed to as she opened the ceremonies with an invocation and prayer.

Despite the plethora of bouncing balls, the graduation turned out to be a huge success with awesome speeches by Valedictorian Davis Coghlan, and Salutatorian Trey Torno, whose message had to do with ‘The Giving Tree’. Torno asked his peers to ‘give’ and be thankful for those who were ‘gift-givers’ in their lives.

Coghlan highlighted the ‘not so average’ accomplishments of the class of 2013, including the many accolades, state championships, and he also stressed the importance of service.

Choir Director Marla Warden and her choir performed, and Director Kathy Johnson’s band also performed before the graduates finally took to the stage to receive their diplomas.

Principal Jeff Butts took it all in stride as seniors, one after another brought him ‘presents’ to fill his coat pockets, and in his pants pockets, and the inside coat pockets, and every other pocket he could find as literally hundreds of bouncy balls were handed over. There was a scary moment when Cullen Burkett took a huge risk, choosing not to hand off the bouncy ball, but instead bounced it across the stage, straight into the hand of the principal. No weak reflexes there.

Connor Kane led the benediction to close the ceremony.

All bouncy balls handed off, all tucked safely away, the class of 2013 finished off their night by celebrating at the Project Graduation party.