By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Whoops and cheers and blasts from air horns greeted 33 Marion High School graduates as they walked across the stage Saturday to claim their diplomas.

Perhaps the loudest group of proud relatives sat in the southwest corner of the Sports and Aquatics Center. Parents, a sister, and brothers of state champion powerlifter Quade Williams enthusiastically hooted, hollered, and cheered each time his name was called.

MHS singers performed “The Road Home” and the band played “Hallelujah.”

Valedictorian Christopher Beery and salutatorian Sadie Lange received outstanding senior awards, voted by faculty.

Before Beery and Lange spoke, Beery gave a Teacher of Influence award to English teacher Topher Rome.

Several graduating students were recognized for completing career and technical education programs to help prepare them for college or education. They included Madison Arocha, Beery, Calli Burkholder, Taelar Creed, Shaylee Creevan, Addyson Davis, Natalie Hoffner, Brayden Hulett, Xavier Hurt, Ian Ingels, Blake Kaiser, Brooklin Matthews, Auriella McBee, Amber Miller, Joseph Rovelo, Chance Shults, Mia Spencer, Shannon Taylor, Mckinnon Waner, Carley Wilhelm, and Jalyssa Williams.

Honor students included Arocha, Beery, Burkholder, Davis, Tristen Dye, Arwen Fay, Natalie Hoffner, Nathan Hoffner, Lange, Matthews, Miller, Spencer, Taylor, Waner, and Abby Wesner.

After seniors threw their hats in the air and marched out, family and supporters eagerly crowded around the graduates for congratulations and embraces.