OTHELLO - Graduation season in the Basin officially kicked off this weekend as 175 Othello High School seniors received their diplomas and walked off school grounds for the last time.

Hundreds of family members, friends and community members attended the school's commencement ceremony Saturday to show their support for the graduating Huskies.

Class of 2014 valedictorian Holly Fleshman thanked her teachers, parents and other family members during her speech. She also took time to thank her fellow graduates.

"We have been through so many difficult and joyous times together and for that I thank you," she said. "We have gained life lessons like friendship and loyalty and we learned that a family does not consist only of blood but of the sense of unity that we have with each other which brands us as none other than an Othello Huskie."

Class speaker Cole Morgan told his classmates that they should always remember the memories they made during high school.

"I hope as you look out in the stands you see some family, and as you look around at the Class of 2014 you see a whole lot of friends," he said. "But as you look back on the last 12 years with these people, I hope you see a million memories."

However, Morgan also told his class to look forward to the many new memories they would all be making in the coming years.

"I know you're all capable of some pretty great things, I hope you all find the years to come are a whole lot better."

Other graduating seniors were also put in the spotlight during the commencement ceremony. Melissa Guzman was named class salutatorian and received the class Activities Award.

Colton Hall was named Male Athlete of the Year, while Fleshman received the Female Athlete of the Year award. Natalie Gomez received the Citizenship Award and Tanner Wagner received the Service Award.

Together, the Class of 2014 earned more than $440,000 in out of the area scholarship money.