BROOKHAVEN — After singing the Ole Brook Alma Mater, 153 students flung their caps into the air to celebrate a new chapter in life. Brookhaven High School held the graduation at their football stadium.

David Sones, FCA Senior President, opened the ceremony with a prayer before yielding the podium to Jacob Rushing who gave the welcome.

“Brookhaven instilled unity and the importance of sticking together during difficult times (COVID),” Rushing said. “We concur that Brookhaven High School has prepared us. We are united and proud to be life long panthers. We are the future of Brookhaven. We are Ole Brook.”

Salutatorian Aubrye Mayfield, daughter of recent The Dart subject Robert Mayfield, thanked the crowd for coming and all the people who played a roll in getting them to graduation. She said everything was different after COVID.

“Luckily by 11th grade things were normal and this year we felt the normal feel of high school with Friday Night Lights and basketball games,” Mayfield said. “Mullets also made a comeback. I say we had a good high school experience. Congratulations seniors on how far we have come. We finally made it. I wish you future success on your new journey into the world. Once you do the hard work you can do the fun things. don’t let an opportunity go to waste. Always remember to grab a sprinkled donut.”

Valedictorian Holden Britt echoed a similar message. He also said the day marked the end of one chapter and the start of the next one.

“Some of us will continue on to college and others won’t. We are still all capable of doing great things,” Britt said. “I have sat in class with so many of you. My challenge to you is to have the courage to do something you enjoy and do it well. Passion is energy. Feel the power on what excites you and do something you can talk about for an hour with someone. I hope you all do what excites you. Never settle.”