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By Cole Trahan

On Friday starting at about 7:50 p.m., Troup County High School students began walking onto the Callaway Stadium football field for their graduation ceremony.

Little did they know they’d get rained on.

After the presentation of the colors by Troup High School AFJROTC Color Guard and the pledge of allegiance, senior class president Hamilton Bedingfield delivered a welcoming speech.

“I wouldn’t be doing my job justice if I didn’t acknowledge the 13 years of diligent work you’re required to make it to this point in our lives,” he said.

Next up was 2021 STAR student Barbara Hart and 2021 salutatorian Haylee Ward, who shared a poem.

It was during 2021 co-valedictorian Chloe Thames’ speech that it started to get windy.

“Many of us have been waiting on this day for such a long time. I cannot say the amount of times I’ve heard people … say how ready they are to just graduate and move on from high school, but now that it’s finally here, you start to realize how quickly it all went by,” Thames said.

The storm then moved into the area, and spectators and audience members exited the field to find shelter. Some remained where they were under umbrellas.

The ceremony resumed at 9:30 to ensure every graduate’s name was called.