In 1999, they were kindergartners. Tonight, 468 seniors will walk across the stage and become the 103rd graduating class of Stow-Munroe Falls High School.

The commencement ceremony will be at E.J. Thomas Hall on the University of Akron campus in front of a standing-room-only crowd at 8 p.m. All tickets for the event have been distributed.

Superintendent Dr. Russ Jones will open the ceremony and members of the Stow-Munroe Falls Board of Education will be handing out diploma covers to the seniors (the actual diplomas are mailed to the graduates).

Jacquie Mazziotta, district public relations director, said Class of 2012 members received 152 awards and local scholarships totaling $44,100. That figure does not include scholarship money awarded to students by their respective colleges (numerous students earned full-ride schlolarships).

Instead of having a commencement valedictorian and salutatorian, the high school recognizes the top 10 honor students from the entire graduating class. Those students will be recognized during the ceremony as each one gives a short presentation to the entire student body.

“Having a top 10 gives kids more opportunity,” said Anthony Horton, a SMFHS unit principal. “We have so many great kids here and sometimes they are really close to each other academically. It gives us a chance to recognize more of them.”

In alphabetical order, the top 10 honor students of 2012 are: Amanda Brewer, Aubrey Crawley, Sara Fildes, Timothy Freborg, Daniel Garner, Brittany Lynner, Maia Marchetti, Michael Pribula, Joshua Smalley and Sruthi Sundaram. Click on their names to read a little about their accomplishments and what school they will be attending in the fall.

Are you really proud of your student for graduating? Want to boast about it a little more? Post your free graduation announcement on Stow Patch here!

From Stow Patch, congratulations to all of the students in the 2012 class. Best of luck!