A half-hour before the 7 p.m. Sunday show time had Ironton High School’s 147th graduating class following a longstanding tradition – lining up on the steps of the school for one last class photograph.

And maybe one last time to see friends made through those four years.

Taylor Hannan, who graduated cum laude, said those friendships will be one of her memories of high school.

“I’ve met a lot of really cool people and made a lot of friends,” said Hannon, who plans to study athletic training at Marshall University.

Her chosen field comes from her love of and participation in sports.

Brady Birkel admitted to a few nerves, saying graduation came bittersweet.

“We always had the pep rallies and every Friday night the games,” he said.

Birkel, who also graduated cum laude, is heading for Ohio University Southern to study nursing.

“My cousin inspired me,” he said.

Chloe Miller, who graduated magna cum laude, chose Morehead State University where she will study exercise science.

“It’s a perfect distance and offers what I want,” she said.

This year’s class graduated 95 seniors with six achieving summa cum laude distinction and 14 ranked magna cum laude.

Approximately $1.2 million in scholarship money was awarded to the class including 19 scholarships given out Sunday night.

Also graduating cum laude was Samantha Trammell, who transferred to Ironton schools in eighth grade. Trammell will study radiologic technology at Mountwest Community and Technical College.

“That was definitely a move for the better,” she said. “The people here are awesome. And they have a lot of traditions.”