Best friends Will Martin and Tyler Minor ham it up for a photo at Free State High's graduation ceremony on Sunday.

Free State High School’s class of 2010 celebrated a first Sunday afternoon. It became the first class to graduate in its new athletic stadium. Earlier graduation ceremonies were held at KU’s Memorial Stadium with Lawrence’s other public high school, Lawrence High.

Seniors wore their green caps and gowns for the 1 p.m. ceremony. The stadium was packed with proud families and friends of the graduates. Two students were selected to offer speeches to their fellow classmates. School board President Scott Morgan also took the podium. He offered advice to the graduates by providing life lessons learned from some of the more popular cartoon shows the group had grown up watching, such as “Sponge Bob Squarepants,” “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” and “The Simpsons.”

The graduating class was asked earlier to vote on their favorite teacher. The group selected social studies teacher Philip Mitchell. He learned of the honor at the ceremony, and received a check for $200 from the school’s booster club.

More than a dozen students were recognized as valedictorians, achieving 4.0 grade point averages throughout their high school careers.

The 336 students then exited the bleachers to receive their diplomas and a handshake from Morgan and Free State Principal Ed West. West said as he shook the students hands, “enjoy the moment,” or “it’s been fun, good luck.”

Although rain clouds hovered above the ceremony, precipitation stayed away for the event, which lasted an hour and a half.