The graduating class of 2016 bid farewell to Brown County High School June 4.

It included 149 graduates; 28 received academic honors diplomas and five received technical honors diplomas.

Corina Greiner was the valedictorian and Oliver Cambridge was salutatorian. Kayla Snyder gave the senior class representative address, while Samantha Francis was the master of ceremonies.

“If you believe in yourself and with a tiny pinch of magic, all of your dreams can come true,” Greiner said to her fellow graduates, quoting Spongebob Squarepants.

“I say this with the kindest and must sincere regard, to never become satisfied with who you are and for each and everyone of you to use the magic that Spongebob is talking about.”

To conclude her speech, she was joined on stage by fellow graduate Brandon Rutherford for a rendition of the Spongebob “F.U.N.” song.

Dr. Christopher Bartels, 2002 BCHS graduate, was the keynote speaker. He is a 2009 graduate of the Indiana University School of Dentistry and owns his own practice, Tipton Lakes Family Dentistry, in Columbus.

“You don’t have to conform to anyone else’s box. Live outside the box, but live life to its fullest and be productive in this world,” Bartels told the graduates.

Bartels told the students they can start with a clean slate in this next phase of life.

“Take a moment and think about what is important in life,” he said.