The sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance” were in the air over the weekend. There were plenty of hugs and tears for the second weekend in a row as seniors from many schools around the area said goodbye.

Nearly every senior in Salina and Saline County graduated. Seniors from Salina Central, Salina South, Ell-Saline, Southeast of Saline, Salina Sacred Heart, and the Salina Christian Academy all walked across the stage and received their diplomas as family, friends, and well-wishers cheered.

While each ceremony was bittersweet in its own unique way, the Salina South High School ceremony was a little extra special. A couple of chairs were left empty in honor of a couple of classmates who lost their lives and did not graduate.

Allie Saum was shot and killed in a case of mistaken identity last spring, and Kenny Connally died in April. Both were remembered and honored by their classmates.

Last weekend seniors at K-State Salina, Kansas Wesleyan University, St. John’s Military School, and Salina Area Technical College all graduated.

Commencement ceremonies were also slated in numerous other area communities.

While seniors are already finished with classes, all other students are still counting down the days to the last day of school, which is later this week.

(click photos to enlarge)