Rain fails to dampen spirits at RCHS graduation

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Friends and family members of graduates brave the wind and rain to watch the Class of 2021 graduate. The ceremony had to be moved inside shortly after due to rain and threats of lightning strikes in the area.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Members of the Rabun County High School Class of 2021 cheer and throw tassels in the air after the graduation ceremony last Friday.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. RCHS Principal Justin Spillers announces Sophie Raby and Natalie Nix as the recipients of the 2021 Wildcat Pride Award at last Friday’s graduation ceremony for the Class of 2021. Spillers said that these students are role models as leaders, and for their character, excellence in the classroom, service to others and service to the greater good. Each student also received a $500 scholarship.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Graduate and Historian for the Class of 2021 Chandler Hensley is all smiles as he walks across the stage in the Fine Arts Building for last Friday’s graduation ceremony to accept his high school diploma.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Graduate Simon Bass hugs friends and family members after graduating with the Class of 2021 at a ceremony held in the Fine Arts Building last Friday.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Class of 2021 Valedictorian Lauren Barnes cries with tears of joy as she hugs her friend after receiving her diploma at last Friday’s graduation ceremony.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Class of 2021 Salutatorian Alexis Martin speaks to classmates at last Friday’s graduation ceremony.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Class of 2021 Historian Chandler Hensley speaks to classmates at last Friday’s graduation ceremony.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Graduate Rissa McDonald shakes hands with Superintendent April Childers after receiving her diploma at last Friday’s ceremony.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Graduate Simon Bass is handed his high school diploma from RCHS Principal Justin Spillers at last Friday’s ceremony.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Graduate Will Davis gets a fist bump from RCHS Principal Justin Spillers as he receives his diploma at last Friday’s graduation ceremony for the Class of 2021.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. It was standing room only in the Rabun County Fine Arts building for last Friday’s graduation for the Class of 2021. The event had to be moved inside due to a torrential downpour of rain and threats of lightning strikes in the area.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Friends and family members of graduates brave the wind and rain to watch the Class of 2021 graduate. The ceremony had to be moved inside shortly after due to rain and threats of lightning strikes in the area.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. School officials prepare the stage in the Rabun County Fine Arts building auditorium to hold graduation for the Class of 2021 after the ceremony moved inside due to weather conditions. Band Director Matt Leff, left, RCHS Principal Justin Spillers and Assistant Superintendent Jonathan Gibson help set up the stage.