Justin Cook | The Roanoke Times

Students raise their hands to show that they are going to college during graduation practice at Eastern Montgomery High School. Zach Meade (center) says he plans to enlist in the Army so he can "explore" the world outside Shawsville and Elliston.

JUSTIN COOK The Roanoke Times

Lindsay Carper plays with Jayce Godwin, 2, whom she baby-sits for a friend, during graduation practice at Eastern Montgomery High School. Principal John Wheeler passed out lollipops as students practiced receiving diplomas.

ELLISTON -- They waited and chatted.

Some practiced punching each other or checked voicemails. Groups talked about the future, while others asked for signatures to their last Eastern Montgomery High School yearbooks.

On Thursday morning, they were 34 hours away from being high school graduates, queued to practice their processional a second time.

Then, it was time to walk.

One by one, sleepy-looking seniors sauntered down the aisle between rows of grey, metal chairs until they reached 56 red chairs -- their final seats as students at the school.

"They've been out of school for a week. They're all tired," said senior adviser and English teacher Marcia Murphy, who said she's been through "too many" graduations.

Not ready to don their commencement garb, students wore mirrored sunglasses, hats or sparkling flip-flops. A mother toted her son, another brought a child she baby-sits. They shouted at each other as they journeyed to the front of the gymnasium.

The students will graduate there at 7 tonight and join students from five other schools in the New River Valley that also have commencement ceremonies this weekend.

"I'm just glad I made it," Zack Meade said.

Meade, who is absent from the school's yearbook because he spent much of his high school career at Montgomery County's alternative program, Rivendell, said he regrets his past, and he's looking forward to the future.

"I'm kind of looking forward to getting out of this town," he said.

Meade grew up in Shawsville, left for Tennessee, and returned about four years ago.

"I started out as a troublemaker. I didn't like listening to authority," he said.

Still, he walked toward his seat on the third row of graduates and sat ready for his name to be called.

The 18-year-old has signed on with the U.S. Navy but said he wants to back out. Instead, he hopes to join the Army so he doesn't have to spend his time on a boat.

He wants to be a police officer, or a firefighter in the military. He's already worked with Elliston's Fire Department during high school. He's one of about five who plan to join the military. About half will attend college.

Row by row, students endured cheers and jeers as Assistant Principal Braden Bushman read their full names aloud. They shuffled along the stage where Principal John Wheeler sternly shook hands and passed each carefree student a lollipop.

Soon, it's Meade's turn.

Zachary. Allen. Meade.

Fellow graduates continue chattering as he mounts the stage.

He got pink watermelon.

Tonight, it'll be just as sweet, but in paper form.