'It means everything:' Seniors thrilled as graduations return to the big stage at Crown Coliseum

Here in North Carolina, some school systems held smaller, COVID-friendly events that gave seniors a chance to walk across the stage to get their diplomas.

This year, however, the graduating class of 2021 will return to the big stage at the Crown Coliseum.

WRAL covered last year's COVID-friendly graduations inside the school auditorium. While meaningful, the ceremonies lacked the pomp – because of the circumstance.

This year, as WRAL covers graduations once again, there's an emotional buzz as seniors at Pine Forest High School eagerly prepare to don their caps and gowns.

Britney Watson, who was able to peek inside last year's graduations as a Junior Marshall, described the ceremony.

"It was nice for what it was," she said. "It was last-minute, so no one had any time to prepare."

Last year, only a handful of family members could attend.

This year, Watson is excited to be in the Crown Coliseum – and excited to bring her parents and her grandmother.

Watson joins roughly 1,500 students graduating from her school in 2021.

"We're the second largest school in Cumberland County," said David Culbreth, the school principal. "So ours is going to have three separate ceremonies."

The students, he said, will have a lot of their friends in attendance.

"Honestly it means everything," said senior class president Keevyn Reese. "I've been looking forward to this since freshman year."

Graduation is extra special for Reese – because she gets to speak to the crowd, which has become a family tradition.

Her older sister also spoke at graduation back when she served as the school's student body vice president.

"She got to speak. So I've been looking up to her for a long time. I've just been waiting for this moment," she said.

Jonathan Henderson said his parents are even more excited than he is – to be able to watch him graduate in-person.

Henderson is headed to NCA&T to become a graphic artist. Watson is headed to UNC to major in Political Science. Reese, wearing scrubs, is ready for medical school to begin.

Congratulations, grads!