Or the class could just let its numbers and student body speak for themselves.

More than 200 of the 647 graduates ended their Bobcat days with a GPA of at least 3.5. Roughly 31 percent of Battlefield's seniors exited receiving titles of Cum Laude (80), Magna Cum Laude (58) and Summa Cum Laude (64), according to the program guide distributed at Jiffy Lube Live.

For the student body as a whole, BHS principal Amy Ethridge-Conti told the audience that 91 percent of those dawning the purple and white gowns before them declared their intentions to continue their education at either a 2-year or 4-year institution of higher learning. Another 4 percent of the graduates are planning to join the military. Students combined to earn almost $5.9 million in scholarship money.

Valedictorian Zachary Callaghan earned his title by achieving a GPA in excess of 4.7. He aced even the toughest advanced placement and honors courses during his tenure and became one of 11 Bobcats in 2009 selected to attend the summer residential Governor's School for math.

He stressed to his peers that they finally have control over their own lives while University of Virginia-bound salutatorian Allison Jang, who swam and played field hockey at BHS, reminded those seated in the orchestra section before her that their lives and decisions await them.

Then came class president Carly Glenn, who presented a cross section of emotion ranging from bubbling excitement to downright sorrow at being in the presence of all her classmates for the last time.

"This is the cherry on top to all of our high school experiences," she said before ticking off a list of numbers she asked future math majors to calculate.

She mentioned the 476 hours she said the drama club members spent creating scenery as well as the 31 fire and tornado drills the Class of 2010 ran during their four years that "might delay turning in a homework assignment" or two. Line after line, she recited significant numbers and accomplishments of her fellow graduates that all totaled out to 2010.

"And I do believe we have left our mark," she said.

Moments later, Glenn paused, ducked her head to her left and cracked her voice as she took a breather, overcome with tears.

"I said I wasn't going to do this," she said to applause, quickly regrouping with an added tear about to stream. "Okay. "

She looked at the sea of boldly-colored mortarboards and gowns seated in maroon-cushioned folding chairs before her.

"They're all in front of me with purple and white gowns and funny hats," she said to laughs. In an almost pleading-like fashion though, she asked the other 646 students to "please, please" live with passion and live a happy life.

"Thank you, Carly," said Ethridge-Conti as she began her final remarks. "That's a hard act to follow."

Addressing what she declared to be the largest graduating class in the school's six-year history, Ethridge-Conti said, "Each one of you has played an important role in shaping Battlefield into the school it is."

That especially rang true for the Battlefield student athletes that helped the school collect nine district titles and three regional crowns this year alone, she said. The principal followed up by recalling all of the charitable works students performed, such as their participation in the Relay for Life and March on Melanoma.

"For you, the members of the Class of 2010, this is the beginning of your lives as adults," she said.

To the sound of air horns, and cheers, a raspy-throated Eric McCaslin, the school guidance councilor and girls basketball coach, began reading names of those receiving diplomas once Nii Abbey kicked off the procession by handing in a card with his name on it. One hour and seven minutes later, through seven name readers and hundreds of students walking up the seven black steps to the stage to turn in their own cards, thunderous applause and screams broke out as Madihah Zubair completed the journey.

Within two minutes, the seniors were no longer high schoolers but, through the power invested in Ethridge-Conti by the Commonwealth of Virginia, were declared Battlefield's fifth-ever set of high school graduates.