When Greenwood High School graduate Chrisann Timbie spoke at the school’s graduation ceremony Friday, she urged students to thank their teachers, coaches, counselors and family members for helping them become who they are.

“You have motivated us to excel far beyond what we pictured ourselves capable. Thank you,” said Timbie, who offered the welcome address at the school’s 28th annual commencement.

As many as 258 graduates walked at this year’s graduation ceremony held at Western Kentucky University’s E.A. Diddle Arena. The class earned roughly $4.9 million in scholarship money.

For Principal Greg Dunn, the ceremony was his last before he officially retires July 1. He’s been a part of 18 graduations and seven as the school’s principal.

Dunn described his last ceremony as special and yet bittersweet.

“This school is part of who I am and I am so thankful for the opportunities I have had to serve at this school and feel very fortunate to have played a small part in the many successes we’ve had over the years,” he said, according to prepared remarks.

Dunn noted several of the graduating class’ accomplishments, describing the school as having a long history of outstanding academic achievement.

“As juniors, this class had an ACT composite average of 20.6, which was an increase from the previous year and above the state average,” he said, also recognizing accomplishments in athletics, band and music programs, art, ROTC and other clubs and programs.

Along with several other recognitions, Dunn recognized the top academic seniors based on each students’ weighted GPA. Leon Trinh graduated at the number one spot with a GPA of 4.3. He was followed by Rileigh Zimmerman at 4.27 and Kylie Bray 4.25.

“I hope that you will look back at your time here at Greenwood and feel a great sense of pride and accomplishment and that Greenwood High School will always have a special place in your heart,” Dunn told the class.

In offering students advice in whatever career they pursue, Dunn quoted civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry.”

In encouraging students to practice humility, he quoted author C.S. Lewis.

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less,” he said.

Dunn said the biggest legacy students will leave is not their career but “the way you interact directly with other human beings and how you touch their lives.”

As graduate Kylie Bray offered the senior farewell, she encouraged students to practice the interdependence of California Redwood trees, which stand as some of the largest trees in the world despite their shallow roots.

“The Redwood trees don’t have deep roots. Instead, they are interwoven,” she said. “Their stability and strength becomes exponentially more because they work together.”