A class of about 210 seniors will receive their diplomas at the Warrenton High School. Wright City will have a graduating class of about 80 students. Both ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at each of the school's gymnasiums. "It's always a bittersweet experience for the administrators and teachers within our district," said Warrenton R-III Superintendent Dr. John Long. "On one hand, it's a happy, exciting occasion because you realize the role you've played in preparing these students to live their lives. "But on the other hand, it's sad," Long added. "You may never see some of these students again because of life circumstances. They will move on to college or relocate to other sections of the country." Dr. Mark Porter, Wright City R-II superintendent, is retiring on June 30 and this will be his final graduation ceremony. "We're happy and excited for the students," said Porter. "It's a hallmark time in their lives and we're grateful to have had a role in helping shape their lives." Warrenton High School has four valedictorians and one salutatorian. The valedictorians include Kayla Moeller, Scott Bade, Sarah Meyers and Alex Toebben. The salutatorian is Caitlyn Quinn. "Each of our valedictorians has a very special quality about them," said Warrenton High School Principal Dave Buck. "Kayla is an excellent academic achiever and is one of the Missouri 100 top students," he said. "Sarah has spent four years in choir and has also been active in all of our school plays. "Alex is a very strong student and was an all-state football player as well," Buck added. "And Scott is the self-proclaimed president of Warrior Nation and will go on to become an architect." Buck, who is completing his third year at the school, called graduation day "one of my favorite days all year. It provides such a wide breadth of family support that you don't get at any other time of the year." Two longtime teachers at the high school, Guy Schreck, art teacher, and Sherry Brandis, English teacher, will speak at the graduation ceremony. "It'll be special for the students because not only have these teachers instructed them, they also taught a lot of their parents," said Buck. Wright City school officials said they will not announce their top two graduates until the ceremony Sunday. "We have three students who are extremely close in their grade point average," said Wright City High School Principal Dr. Allan Hogenmiller. "I told each of them to prepare a speech." Hogenmiller is completing his second year at the high school and admitted this graduation will be a little different than the one in 2007. "Last year I took over in the middle of the year," related Hogenmiller. "But this year I've had the opportunity to get to know our graduates on a more personal level. It's afforded me the opportunity to watch them grow, to watch them develop as young men and women. "I've been with them for almost two academic years," he added. "I'm proud and excited for this group and for their future because I think it reflects positively on the future of this community." Hogenmiller said graduation is a "happy time" for both parents and teachers of the high school graduates. "It's a great, rewarding experience for the parents," he said. "And for the teachers, as educators we try to instill in each student the ability to be a lifelong learner," Hogenmiller continued. "As I look at this graduating class, it's exciting to see the fulfillment of the things we've tried to accomplish." The Wright City graduation ceremony will be a high-tech, exciting show, according to Porter. "We've really stepped it up for this year," Porter observed. "We have changed the seating configuration for the students to make it more audience-friendly. "And the show will be dazzling," Porter said. "We have a new sound system and a Power Point presentation which will include a baby picture and the graduation photo for each student. It's going to be a really fun time."