Thirty-one Cougars in caps and gowns crossed the stage to receive their high school diplomas at Brookhaven Academy Friday night.

Hundreds of family and friends filled the gym to cheer on the graduates, who salutatorian Carmen Lambert said had “grown and evolved into something much like a family.”

Valedictorian Mallory Martin joined Lambert as two of the eight special honors graduates. Eight others were honors graduates; 10 received 19 total scholarships; and four students were inducted in the school’s Hall of Fame — Anna Elizabeth Chalk, Reagan Elise Fortenberry, Lambert and Martin.