Portland High School senior Nasteho Abdirahman Sheikh holds a rose while greeting her family as the graduating Class of 2019 lines up for the 198th Graduation Exercises on Thursday afternoon at Merrill Auditorium for commencement. Sheikh won a Seal of Biliteracy.
Deering High School graduate Alham Hasan stands in her row after receiving her diploma during the 145th Commencement Exercises on Thursday at Cross Insurance Arena.
Deering High School graduate Lucas Jasonides lights a celebratory cigar while flanked by childhood friends Yoni Khan, left, and Logan Morrione on Spring Street after the ceremony.
Portland High School graduate Isabella Edwards celebrates with bouquets of flowers on Myrtle Street outside Merrill Auditorium.
Gabobe Douale walks toward the line for his commencement processional. Portland High School graduated 198 seniors.
Deborah Umutoni strides across the Cross Insurance Arena floor with diploma in hand. Deering High School graduated 235 seniors.
Portland High School graduate Jennifer Sebit is surrounded by balloons while receiving a hug from mother Christine Amito on Myrtle Street. One block of the street, between Congress Street and Cumberland Avenue, was blocked off from traffic and filled with graduates and their friends and family.
Portland High School graduate Chris Vincent takes a selfie from the stage of Merrill Auditorium moments after receiving his diploma.
Deering High School's Hamza Shueib dances across the stage at Cross Insurance Arena to receive his diploma.
Deering High School graduate Jerry Mixangelo kisses Lexi McNally on the nose in the corridor of Cross Insurance Arena. after commencement.
Trejyn Fletcher, who was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the second round of Major League Baseball's amateur draft this week, wears a Cardinals' logo on his mortarboard while hitting a beach ball as Deering's seniors dance to the class song, Lupe Fiasco's "The Show Goes On."
Emily Irakoze smiles at a cheering audience after receiving her Portland High School diploma.
Habib Mohamed waits for his name to be called before stepping forward to collect his Portland High School diploma.
Portland High School graduate Abubakar Ali beams after receiving his diploma.
Portland High School graduate Prudence Mabaya flashes the peace sign outside Merrill Auditorium after commencement while wearing a Brown Memorial Medal -- one of 10 awarded Thursday -- which exemplifies academic excellence. He was also among 16 Portland students who earned A seal of Biliteracy for mastering English and at least one other language.
Deering High School graduate Lindos Ochira laughs while a group of friends cheer him on.
Deering High School valedictorian Bilan Mohamed leaves the stage after receiving her diploma.
Deering High School graduate Brandon Sprague leans in a doorway and sends a text to his family after becoming separated in a large crowd on Spring Street after commencement.
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