A class of ‘world leaders'

See photos from the Southwest High School graduation.

The 2009 Stallions are a class of "world leaders," Principal Pam Baldwin said.

Thursday night, 153 graduates crossed the stage at Southwest High with friends, classmates and family present.

"We definitely have some world leaders in this group," Baldwin said. "They're outgoing students on a mission and respectfully outspoken."

The students earned a combined total of $394,400 in scholarships.

"I hope that all (my classmates) are successful. ... I hope they find happiness and not just riches." - Valedictorian Misty Wilbanks, 18, who plans to major in marine biology at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

"(Friends) are who I spent most of my time with and they were my escape, they helped me with highschool." - Salutatorian Shelby Cooper, 18, who will attend East Carolina University and major in nursing

 "I'm really going to miss (my classmates) a lot. It's going to be very different not having them around." - Bianca Hill, 19

 "Teachers and coaches ... helped me through everything in four years. They helped me overcome my challenges." - Richard Camplong, 17