The 135 students who graduated Saturday morning from Bryan County High School constitute the school’s largest class in memory.

Of those, 31 were honor graduates, also a recent record. To qualify, these students had to keep their grades above a 90 average for four years.

But it wasn’t numbers that the graduates emphasized for Saturday’s sendoff before a capacity crowd in the gym. It was childhood friendships, which they hope will last into adulthood.

Honor graduate Taylor Stanfield, who sings at festivals and other area events, chose Carrie Underwood’s “Whenever You Remember” as her graduation solo.

“It’s the only one that really touched my heart. I love Carrie Underwood because her words mean so much,” Stanfield said. “I’ve been with these kids since I was really little, and it talks about remembering everything in the past until now.”

Read more in the May 25 edition of the News.