Mustangs kicked up some dust Wednesday evening at Bel Air High School as 319 C. Milton Wright High School students walked the stage to receive their high school diplomas.

Some students are counting down the days until they start military training, others are looking for jobs and still others are looking past the summer to their first year of college.

Valedictorian and senior class president, Michael Natoli, gave his classmates a challenge as they move to the next phase in their lives.

"So how can we prove to everyone that the Class of 2012 is awesome? Remove those bad habits that hold us back, continue growing beyond where we are today and always focus on the good that happens in our lives," Natoli said.

Described by principal Marlene Molter as one of the most humble people she knows, Natoli received standing ovations both at the beginning and end of his speech.

The first round of applause was prompted by Molter's announcement of the young man's grade point average—a whopping 4.41.

While the students didn't graduate in their home school, they brought Mustang pride and tradition with them across town.

As the last name was announced, students produced beach balls and launched them into the air with whoops and cheers. The display, held to the end of the ceremony, helped bring commencement to a celebratory close.

The beach balls were followed shortly by graduates' caps then shuffling feet as the packed auditorium steadily emptied.

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