COAL CITY — As Coal City High School seniors decked in green and white regalia picked up their diplomas at graduation Sunday, they were reminded that the close of one period of life was giving way to a new one.

"This school has made us who we are," said Valedictorian Arielle Piper in her address to the school's 98th graduating class. "This isn't the end, but a new beginning."

The graduating class, their family, friends, faculty and school district officials assembled in the school's gym for the ceremony. In addition to Piper, salutatorians Matthew Halloran and Brandon Wills also had a chance to speak to the group. Both looked back on their time in high school, thanking some of the influential people during their four years. Wills encouraged his peers to continue their success into the future.