Friends and family of Dawson County High’s graduating seniors lined up this weekend to watch the young men and women receive their diplomas.

Principal Jute Wilson deemed Saturday’s commencement at the school a success.

“I thought it went great,” Wilson said. “We had an outstanding turnout, and the weather cooperated with us.”

Wilson said 240 seniors participated in the ceremony.

 “We do have a few that have some work to do this summer to wrap up a class or pass a state test,” he added.

Saturday’s graduation ceremony included speeches from the valedictorian, salutatorian and class president. Superintendent Keith Porter also addressed the class of 2011.

Porter talked about the importance of “tomorrow’s leaders giving back to the community, and measuring success not just based on the amount of money people earn, but based on what they do to help others.”

Wilson said the event would not have been possible without “the help of all of our staff.”

“They did a great job, and we couldn’t have done it without their support,” he said.