Following the processional, high school principal Jason Woodley welcomed the graduates and Dr. Ken Howard, the South Hamilton superintendent, recognized the academic award winners. Dr. Howard shared a few words with the graduates and told them the “tassel was worth the hassle.”

A group of nine South Hamilton students, including four from the graduating class, offered a moving rendition of the song “You Do Not Walk Alone” and then senior Andrew Babcock took the stage to introduce class speakers Abby Ervin and Clay Willadsen.

With plenty of humor throughout, Ervin and Willadson spoke for 10 minutes about the journey through South Hamilton for the Class of 2021, and they told their classmates that each day is a new opportunity.

Nine graduates then sang “Omina Sol” before Woodley presented the class to the audience.

Clay Willadsen and Abby Ervin delivered the senior address, offering a humerous journey through South Hamilton for their classmates.

Dr. Howard and school board member Leigh Miller had the honor of handing out the diplomas one-by-one on the stage.

Following the recessional, the seniors migrated to the front of the school building, just outside the main doors to the gymnasium, and went through the time-honored tradition of tossing their caps high into the sunny sky.

— Daily Freeman-Journal photos by Troy Banning YOLANDA LICEA receives a hug from a classmate following the South Hamilton High School graduation ceremony Sunday afternoon in Jewell.