MARION— Tuesday night, in front of a full auditorium, 50 more students finished their high school education at Francis Marion High School.

“This class was full of excitement,” said Francis Marion Principal Maxine Coley. “It’s a class that is really getting ready to face the world. Tonight we will show you 50 people who will show the world what Perry County and Francis Marion High School is made of.”

Family members and friends cheered loudly as their loved ones received their diplomas and various scholarships.

“I am very, very, very proud of VonSwadria,” said Shantel Williams, the mother of 2010 graduate VonSwadria Scott. “I’m just in tears.”

The students celebrated the culmination of 12 years of hard work, studying, tests and physical.

“It feels good,” said graduate Demetric Goree. “This is one of the happiest moments of my life.”

“We have worked very hard for twelve years,” said salutatorian Cassandra McIntyre. “It has finally paid off.”

Now the students will go their separate ways, many taking the path to a higher education.

“I think we have close to 80 percent going to some type of higher education,” said Coley.