Covington County’s seniors all graduated from high school last night, and each was encouraged by fellow classmates to work hard and succeed.

At Andalusia High School, valedictorian Grace Spears encouraged fellow graduates to “set themselves on fire.”

“Success isn’t a result of spontaneous combustion,” she said, quoting Arnold Gasow, adding that students must work hard and have ambition to succeed.

“Don’t let graduation be the grand finale of your fireworks show,” she said.

“Just one of us can influence the world in an irrevocable way. You can find the cure for cancer, be the president of the United States, raise amazing children, or simply speak encouraging words to a stranger on the street.”

At Straughn, valedictorian Riley Watson encouraged classmates to pursue their dreams.

“I know that we all have dreams, and for those of you who may think those dreams are beyond your reach, this is my advice to you. Never let the regrets of your past outweigh the possibilities of your future,” he said.

Watson ended by quoting Dr. Seuss, ““Be our names Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray, Or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea, We’re off to Great Places! Today is our day!”