Richmond Hill High School said farewell Saturday to its largest graduating class.

And the 350 seniors who walked across the stage made the Alumni Arena at Armstrong Atlantic State University swell with pride as parents, friends and other family watched their graduate become just that.

The class of 2011 was all smiles as the students took their seat while the RHHS Wildcat Band played “Pomp and Circumstance,” watched the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps present colors to the class of 2012 and listened to senior class Vice President Patrick MaGee lead the capacity crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Speakers included class Secretary Michelle Todd with the welcome address; class Treasurer Kathryn Johnson with opening remarks; and Joshua Porter with the salutatory address. There was even special music performed by Janesia Blige and Nick Johnson.

But throughout the ceremony, a message of pride and independence seemed to resonate with the graduates.

“I’d like to remind each of you that whatever memories high school has left you with – these last four years are not the best four years of your lives. And if they are, something has gone completely wrong,” Jack Jenkins joked in his valedictory address.

Read more in the May 25 edition of the News.