From a school in Hempstead County which will graduate nine proud students to a school in Hope which will graduate a record 316 students, graduation season is here.

All the pomp and circumstance, the music, the caps and gowns, the throwing of the mortar boards in the air, and the crying and hugging all begin Tuesday evening, with University of Arkansas Community College at Hope commencement exercises.

UACCH will graduate the largest class in the history of the institution this year, with 316 graduates earning 458 degrees and certificates. The speakers will be University of Arkansas System President Dr. B. Alan Sugg, and UACCH Board of Visitors Chairman Jerry Pruden.
UACCH Chancellor Chris Thomason will deliver a challenge to the graduating class and conclude the ceremony with closing remarks.
The ceremony will be held at the Hope Fair Park Coliseum, beginning at 6 p.m.

Friday seems to be a popular date to graduate in Hempstead County, with three separate ceremonies set for that evening.
Blevins High School will graduate 27 students Friday at 7 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. Commencement speaker will be Kathryn Scott Wiley, a former student and teacher at Blevins.

Also on Friday, Hope High School will graduate 178 students at Hammonds Stadium on the HHS campus. In case of bad weather, the ceremony will be held in Jones Field House. The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. and the speaker will be Rod Duckworth, a former teacher at the high school.
Saratoga High School will hold their graduation ceremony on Friday, beginning at 6 p.m. in the high school gym. Nine students will be candidates for their diplomas.

Spring Hill High School will hold graduation exercises on May 21 at 7 p.m. at the gym. Thirty-three graduates will walk across the stage for their diplomas and Angie Ralph, school counselor, will announce scholarships earned by graduating seniors. The valedictorian and salutatorian will give speeches at the ceremony, but no other speaker is scheduled.

Garland School in the Hope Public School District will hold GED graduation on May 20, at 7:30 p.m., at the Johnny Rapert Library Complex Auditorium on the UACCH campus. Senator Larry Teague will give the commencement speech as 48 graduates will walk across the stage for their diplomas. A reception in the auditorium lobby will be held after graduation.