SAM OWENS | The Roanoke Times

Northside High School graduates Darcy Anderson (from left), Chynna Basham, Summer Brewer and Skyler Carrell flip their tassels from right to left and celebrate their official graduation status after the ceremony is finished Friday.

SAM OWENS | The Roanoke Times

Northside High School students walk out to their seats during the processional at the beginning of the commencement ceremony at the Salem Civic Center on Friday.

SAM OWENS | The Roanoke Times

A Northside High School teacher tears up as she hugs a student during the processional at the beginning of the commencement ceremony at the Salem Civic Center on Friday.

SAM OWENS | The Roanoke Times

A Northside High School teacher hugs a student during the processional at the beginning of the commencement ceremony at the Salem Civic Center on Friday.

SAM OWENS | The Roanoke Times

Students, faculty members and distinguished guests stand by their seats as they wait for all the students to make out onto the floor during the processional.

SAM OWENS | The Roanoke Times

A Northside High School graduate adjusts her cap as she proceeds to her seat during the processional at the beginning of the commencement ceremony at the Salem Civic Center on Friday.

SAM OWENS | The Roanoke Times

A student (center) locks eyes with her family, while sitting down after all the students rose to give a standing ovation to their parents and other family members, who have helped them along the way, during the Northside High School commencement ceremony at the Salem Civic Center.

SAM OWENS | The Roanoke Times

The Civic Center was filled to watch over 200 Northside students graduate. The Civic Center was filled to watch over 200 Northside students graduate.

SAM OWENS | The Roanoke Times

Alex Cutting, the 2013 senior class president, addresses his fellow graduates during the Northside commencement ceremony at the Salem Civic Center on Friday.

SAM OWENS | The Roanoke Times

A distinguished gradate holds on to her new diploma, as she waits for the rest of her classmates names to be called during Northside High School commencement ceremony at the Salem Civic Center on Friday.

SAM OWENS | The Roanoke Times

Northside High School 2013 valedictorians (from left): Lindsay Belue, Erica Brown, Haley Burgess, Christianna Burks, Alex Cutting and William Echols.

SAM OWENS | The Roanoke Times

Mark Agner (center), a Northside High School wrestling coach and physical education teacher, directs students on stage during the commencement ceremony at the Salem Civic Center on Friday.

SAM OWENS | The Roanoke Times

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SAM OWENS | The Roanoke Times

The Northside High School Student Assistant Program Coordinator Prestonia Kier (right) hugs a student before he walks on stage to receive his diploma during the commencement ceremony at the Salem Civic Center on Friday.

SAM OWENS | The Roanoke Times

Northside High School students wait in line beside the stage to receive their diplomas during the commencement ceremony at the Salem Civic Center on Friday.

SAM OWENS | The Roanoke Times

Northside High School graduate India Basham receives her diploma from Principal Frank Dent during the commencement ceremony at the Salem Civic Center on Friday.