Soon, the class of 2018 will turn their tassels and enter the next phase in life.
Here's the stats on this year's graduating classes.
Fulton 58
This year, 139 students are graduating from the Fulton Public Schools system, two fewer than in 2017.
Unlike other area high schools, since 2014, Fulton High School has used the cum laude system rather than valedictorians and salutatorians.
This year, 13 students earned the summa cum laude distinction with a GPA of 4.2 or above. Another eight earned magna cum laude with a final GPA of 4 through 4.1999. Finally, nine qualified for cum laude with a GPA of 3.85 to 3.9999. The designations will be announced at graduation practice, Superintendent Jacque Cowherd said.
"This class of 2018 has a distinguished history at FPS," he said. "I am confident that each will be a productive contributing member of society - hopefully here in Callaway County."
The Fulton High School graduation ceremony is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Champ Auditorium. Due to space limitations, tickets will be required to attend, Cowherd added.
New Bloomfield R-3
On Friday at 7 p.m. at the high school gym, 51 New Bloomfield R-3 students will walk the stage.
Superintendent Sarah Wisdom said this year's graduating class is smaller than last year's.
Madison Craighead is this year's valedictorian while Alexandra Morningstar is salutatorian.
"New Bloomfield class of 2018, you made it," Wisdom said. "We are all proud of the leaders each of you has become. Shoot for the moon in everything you do, and remember, once a wildcat always a wildcat."
North Callaway R-1
North Callaway is graduating 93 seniors this year - a larger graduating class than last year, high school Principal Brian Jobe said.
He said this year's valedictorian and salutatorian will be announced the evening of graduation.
"(It's) another tight race," Jobe said.
The ceremony is to be at 7 p.m. Friday at the North Callaway High School gymnasium.
"The future depends upon actions of today," Jobe said. "Judging by their actions today, the North Callaway class of 2018 will be one to be remembered. From conference and district titles, Callaway Cups and Academic Honors, to well over a million (dollars) in scholarships, this class has class. Thank you to the NCHS Class of 2018 for making us Thunderbird proud."
South Callaway R-2
This year, 63 South Callaway students left their high school's hallowed halls behind. That's about the same number as last year, high school Principal Heather Helsel said.
Ellie Dunnavant is this year's valedictorian and Austin Clubb is salutatorian.
"This class has great personality and talent," Helsel said. "They have been very successful in the classroom and throughout extracurricular activities, gaining state and national attention. There were 20 members of the class who were members of National Honor Society and it's our largest class of A+ Scholarship recipients to date. The class of 2018 will be a tough act to follow."
The ceremony took place last Friday.
Other
The Missouri School for the Deaf graduated seven in this year's senior class. Kingdom Christian Academy has one graduating senior, and the ceremony is scheduled for Saturday.