So for the coup de grace to graduation season I photographed four commencement ceremonies for Duluth, Meadowcreek, Dacula and North Gwinnett high schools at the Arena at Gwinnett Center on Monday May 30, 2011. In total, over 8,900 students in the 2011 graduating class for the Gwinnett County Public School system received over $108 million in scholarship money.These are my favorite images that I photographed for the Patch newspaper family.
John Cho, right, rests his head on Keena Changela's shoulder before the start of the commencement exercises for Duluth High School at the Arena at Gwinnett Center on Monday May 30, 2011.
Christian Kaminski adjusts his cap before the start of the commencement exercises for Duluth High School at the Arena at Gwinnett Center on Monday May 30, 2011.
Rameez Mirza, left, Chris Montalbano, Gordon Moore, Nathan Oertley, Jessica Metz and Daniel Miner play a round of Uno as they wait for the start of the commencement exercises for Dacula High School at the Arena at Gwinnett Center on Monday May 30, 2011.
Lisa Connelly, left, and Godwin Kamau practice receiving their diplomas before the start of the commencement exercises for Dacula High School at the Arena at Gwinnett Center on Monday May 30, 2011.
Joshua Mathew puts his arm around Kristine Sannoo as they wait for the start of the commencement exercises for North Gwinnett High School at the Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth on Monday May 30, 2011.
Rachel Froug, left, Emily Kubal, Jessie Thrift and Noel Michel laugh at a joke before the start of the commencement exercises for Dacula High School at the Arena at Gwinnett Center on Monday May 30, 2011.
Juan Pimiento hugs Carleah Mixon as they wait for the start of Meadowcreek High School's commencement exercises at the Arena at Gwinnett Center on Monday May 30, 2011.
C. J. Hill wears sunglasses backstage at the Arena at Gwinnett Center as he waits for the start of Meadowcreek High School's commencement exercises on Monday May 30, 2011.
Alec McGehee bumps fists with teacher Brooke Wright as he files into the Arena at Gwinnett Center with the other 439 graduating seniors from Duluth High School during the commencement exercises on Monday May 30, 2011.
Edwin Reyes holds up the peace sign to his family and friends in the stands at the Arena at Gwinnett Center during the commencement exercises for Meadowcreek High School on Monday May 30, 2011.
Xerxes Clayton raises his hands as he walks in the processional for North Gwinnett High School's commencement exercises at the Arena at Gwinnett Center on Monday May 30, 2011.
Manrey Saint-Amour walks down the center aisle after being awarded the Journal Cup during the commencement exercises for North Gwinnett High School at the Arena at Gwinnett Center on Monday May 30, 2011.
Baiyembi Abange points to himself as he crosses the stage to receive his diploma during the commencement exercises for Dacula High School at the Arena at Gwinnett Center on Monday May 30, 2011.