By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

BIRMINGHAM–The Alabama Theatre in downtown Birmingham was packed as families and friends gathered to watch about 190 Helena High School students walk across the stage to receive their diplomas and collectively leave as the first graduating class of HHS.

The inaugural year of HHS had many highlights throughout the 2014-2015 school year, as HHS had a lot of success in academics, athletics, fine arts and more.

The upcoming seniors had the option to either finish out their high school career at Pelham or move to Helena to become the first graduating class at the school and many opted to finish out at Helena.

Helena High School Principal Jay Peoples gave the graduating seniors three pieces of advice as they prepare to either enter the workforce or move on to college.

“The three things that I would encourage you to do going forward are these,” said Peoples. “Do the right thing even when it’s not convenient, treat people a little bit better than you believe they deserve to be treated and to be humble.”

Helena Mayor Mark Hall was also in attendance and he called the occasion “special and historic for the city of Helena.”

“This year has been filled with excitement and success in the classroom through the performing arts and superior athletic competition to say the least,” said Hall. “To our graduates, you are the first senior class, what a remarkable, brilliant and unforgettable group of young men and women you have become.”

Hall finished his remarks with a proud “Go Huskies!”