More than 600 graduates walked across the stage Sunday evening at the Jefferson City High School graduation.
Thousands of family members jammed into Adkins stadium to watch the class of 2012.
The commencement speaker was alumnus Russ Bell who graduated in 1999.
He said, "Jeff City High School, and more importantly this town, has given my life so much that I can't begin to think where I'd be if I grew up anywhere else. 13 years ago I was sitting where you graduates sit tonight, two years later my wife was sitting there as well".
Bell went on to attend the University of Missouri where he played football, before settling back in Jefferson City.
He now works for Jefferson Bank.