High school seniors across Callaway County are decorating their mortarboards and counting the hours until graduation.
All four of the county's public high schools have graduation ceremonies in the next two weeks. For those with family and friends preparing to graduate, here's a guide on when and where to join the celebration.
Fulton High School: Graduation is 7 p.m. Friday at Champ Auditorium at Westminster College. Admission is by ticket only, but the ceremony will be livestreamed at bit.ly/2E7BoAe. The district is graduating 147, four more than in 2018.
Unlike other local schools, the school recognizes high-performing students through the cum laude system, rather than appointing a valedictorian. Of this year's graduates, 15 are graduating cum laude, eight magna cum laude and 13 summa cum laude.
New Bloomfield High School: Graduation is 7 p.m. Friday at the high school's gym. Seniors must be in the cafeteria to line up no later than 5:45 p.m. Graduates may decorate their caps but must not adorn the gowns.
North Callaway High School: Graduates will walk the stage at 7 p.m. Friday in the high school gym.
Missouri School for the Deaf's graduation is also scheduled for Friday. The school's website does not specify a time.
South Callaway High School: Graduation is at 7 p.m. May 24 at the high school's athletic complex or in the gym if it rains. Golf carts will be on hand to help transport attendees to the seating areas. Graduation will be followed by an all-night party beginning at 10 p.m.
This year's graduating class includes 65 students, which is similar to the school's average, Principal Heather Helsel said. Daniel McDonald is valedictorian, and Jessica Buckner is salutatorian.