MONTEREY — Though Monterey High School’s graduation ceremony was originally planned for the Vidalia Conference Center, rising floodwaters meant the class of 2011 graduates marched into the gym of their alma mater to receive their diplomas Saturday.

Hundreds of parents and friends filled floor seats and lined the walls to witness one of the biggest moments, so far, of the seniors’ lives.

Thirty-three students, some so tall their caps kissed the doorframe and others wearing glittery high heels and carefully placed curls, proceeded into the gymnasium, grinning into camera flashes before they took their place on stage.

Senior Taylor Morace took the seniors on a journey from their freshman days to the last days of their senior year.

“It was so cool to finally sit on the high school side with the big kids,” Morace said. “And finally, we were seniors. We had our last homecoming, last prom and last Beta convention.”

Morace quoted Eleanor Roosevelt.

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,” she said. “Look at how much we’ve accomplished, and think of how much more is out there for us. Wherever you go in life — go with all your heart.”

Valedictorian Alex Thomas lamented that her job as academic leader of the class meant she had to issue the bittersweet farewell.

“But we should all be extremely proud of what we’ve done,” Thomas said. “We are entering a new chapter, a whole new world, from our small town community. Dr. Seuss said, ‘Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.’”

Monterey High School Principal John Bostic encouraged the graduates to not allow life’s opportunities to pass by.

“You have to recognize those opportunities in your life,” Bostic said. “And seize them when they come.”

More than a dozen scholarships and awards were presented to the seniors on behalf of local businesses, municipalities and national organizations.

Senior Logan Dale closed the ceremony in prayer.

“Thank you for watching over us all these years,” Dale prayed. “Thank you for blessing us with so many happy memories.”