CRESTVIEW — Brandi Terrell has mixed emotions about her daughter’s graduation.
"It’s a happy, joyous time, but it’s also a sad, changing time," the mother of Crestview High School valedictorian Jayde Terrell said.
Though she is happy to see her only daughter graduate, she said the household won't be the same after Jayde begins classes at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
"There is going to be a lot of quiet days and quiet nights at our house," Brandi said.
Crestview High School’s Friday night graduation ceremony at Jack Foster Stadium was “bittersweet” for many parents and students.
Guidance counselor Keitha Holloway’s daughter, Kelsey Perez, 18, is among 274 students receiving a diploma, out of 355 seniors enrolled at the beginning of the year.
Click here for a photo gallery from the Crestview High School graduation ceremony.
Though she is excited to see her lone child graduate with honors, Holloway knows what follows.
"She will be leaving for Florida State (University) in a couple of months — that’s where the bittersweet part comes in," Holloway said.
Holloway holds this year's senior class in high regard.
"As a faculty member, it's amazing to see the triumphs and tribulations these students have overcome," she said.
She referred to the death of senior classman Markos Papadopoulos, who died in an August traffic incident.
"To see how the graduating class rally around each other, and to see them become more like a family … was absolutely amazing," Holloway said.
Salutatorian Terrin Bond, 18, congratulated fellow graduates in her speech.
"Alright guys, we did it," she said. "Congratulations to the class of 2013."
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHS graduation 'bittersweet' for parents (GALLERY)