For two groups of seniors in Crenshaw County their high school journey is through.

Highland Home and Brantley each held commencement ceremonies this week for the Class of 2005. Highland Home graduated 49 seniors, while Brantley graduated 37.

In Brantley, Class Valedictorian William Shane Haws, quoting Charles Dickens, told family and teachers on Tuesday night that this was 'the best of times and the worst of times.'

"All of us have mixed emotions," he said. "Because we look forward to the future but we're leaving behind the school we've known for the past 13 years."

He ended his speech, echoing comments from former Auburn football coach Pat Dye.

"He said, 'when my race is run, I want to be running full speed when I have to stop,'" said Haws.

Salutatorian Dusty Dunn thanked Superintendent Kathi Wallace, BHS Principal Waylon Bush and Asst. Principal Tony Stallworth.

"This occasion is a momentous milestone," she said. "Various people have helped us arrive at this point in our lives."

She also urged her classmates on towards their dreams, with words from the world's biggest dreamer - Walt Disney.

"The four C's - courage, confidence, constancy and curiosity," she said. "These he followed and he was a man who mad all his dreams come true."

On Monday night, at HHHS's Clay Jordan Stadium, Salutatorian Amy Campbell thanked the parents of the Class of 2005.

"For even the times when we played sick," she joked.

Amanda Dunn, Class Valedictorian, also had the parents on her mind, fighting back the bittersweet emotions of high school's ending to deliver her speech.

"This has not only been a place for learning academics," she said. "But also a place for learning lessons about life. Looking back, we thought the journey was long, but now we see how short it really was."

Two other schools will hold commencement ceremonies for its seniors in the next week.

Commencement ceremonies for Luverne High School will start tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the LHS football field.

Crenshaw Christian Academy will graduate its senior class on Thursday, March 26 at 7 p.m.