Prescott High's 2023 graduates toss their mortars in the air after their graduations were confirmed Sunday afternoon in the Prescott High Gymnasium as a capacity crowd looks on.

Promptly at 3:00 p.m. Sunday the processional and the playing of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance began in the Prescott High Gymnasium as first the ushers then the honor graduates then all the others marched a horseshoe around the perimeter and then filed into white seats ranged behind the speakers' table.

Honors Graduate Aydan Bullinger then said a prayer. "Lord, I thank You for the teachers that have supported us and paved the way to get here over the past 13 years. Thank You for these parents that raised us into the young people that we are today. I pray everyone here stays safe after graduation and continues to follow you during the rest of our lives," he said.

Highest Honor Graduate Carston Poole then welcomed everyone and introduced Prescott Schools Superintendent Robert Poole. "Again thank you parents, thank you for sharing your child with us the past 13 years of life, the most important years of their life. Thank you for everything you've done for your child and for your school. We could not have done without you or your support," Superintendent Poole said.

He then suggested those attending "hoop and holler after your child's name is called," but stop before the next name is called.

"This is a special group for me," the superintendent resumed. "I had one of my own graduate this year. It is very special. I've been to a lot of activities, a lot of ball games, a lot of great memories. ... This is a great group of seniors."

Here Poole introduced members of the school board in attendance, President JoBeth Glass, Vice-president Michael Williams, and Perla Munoz. He also introduced the administrators present: Angela Bryant, District Improvement Specialist/Federal Programs Coordinator; Tommy Poole, High School Principal; Jennifer Robbins, High School Counselor and Kimberly Grimes, Elementary School Principal.

Next to be introduced were the senior honor graduates starting with Highest Honor Graduate Carston Poole, the Honor Graduates Ra'Shawn Bill, Aydan Bullinger, Olivia Cornelius, Caden Dice, Chloe Grimes, Tatum Jarvies, Lillian McKinnon, Gabryel Rodgers. These students wore honors sashes.

The awarding of diplomas then came after, starting with Poole and the Honor graduates, then proceeding through the list from Jordan Argo to Jaylen Young. Afterward, after Honors the Alma Mater of Prescott Schools was played by the band, accompanied by wavings of the index fingers for the overwhelming majority of those in the gym.

High school Principal Tommy Poole then made the confirmation: "It is my great honor and privilege that along with the administration, faculty and student body of Prescott Schools I confirm the Senior Class of 2023 are graduates of Prescott High School. At this time, you may change your tassels." Once they did, Tommy Poole said, "Ladies and gentleman, I present to you the 2023 graduates of Prescott High School."

Then mortars briefly filled the air and the graduates marched out of the gymnasium.