DAYTON - Dayton High graduate Ray Waters says he is ready to move on in life.
"It's sad to leave the teachers, but I'm happy to get out," Waters said about graduating Thursday night.
His next step: Western Nevada College - and becoming the first in his family to attend college.
About 160 students walked across a stage in the middle of Dayton High School's football field Thursday evening to claim their diplomas.
Waiting for the graduation ceremony to start, Jennifer Robbins, 17, said she received a $22,500 scholarship to attend WNC and eventually the University of Nevada, Reno.
"I'm between English literature and dental hygiene," she said discussing potential majors.
Kevin Karch, 18, said he will miss the friendships from high school.
"I had some fun to say the least," said Karch, 18, who will attend WNC and has aspirations to become a surgeon. "I'm pretty excited to start my new life after high school."
Valedictorian Aaron Van Sickle, 18, said he will attend UNR to major in mechanical engineering.
"I'm really excited to get out of here and go to college," he said.
As for his goals in college?
"Enjoy it," he said.
Jason Joyner, 17, the class salutatorian, said he will attend UNR to major in biochemistry with the goal of attending the university's medical school.
"I'm happy to be moving on to something new," he said.
Alex Koepke, 18, said her plans are to look for a job, but also to study online to become a veterinarian technician.
"If I do go to school I'm going to go to WNC," she said. "It's harder to get a job and it makes it tougher for kids to graduate and for them to get what they need."
Wayne Workman, the principal of Dayton High School, said about 65 percent of Dayton High School graduates enroll in a two- or four-year institution, adding about 15 percent enlist with the military.
"The direction I think they're going is that they're all seeing more the value of that education after high school, that it's not that easy to just jump right out and find a job in Nevada," Workman said.