The front lawn of Natrona County High School was spotted with orange and black Tuesday afternoon, as members of the Class of 2008 bid their farewells to the school, their friends and their teachers at Senior Send-Off.

Natrona's graduation ceremony is scheduled for Saturday at the Casper Events Center. A senior slideshow begins at 7 p.m. and commencement begins at 7:30 p.m.

The high school will finalize who the class valedictorians and salutatorians this morning.

Tuesday was the last time students would lounge on the grass as high school seniors, proudly wearing the school colors in an array of dresses, tank tops and T-shirts.

Thick yearbooks full of memories passed from hand to hand, inked with notes from friends about the good times shared as NC seniors.

"I think our class stands out because we're pretty much the best class ever at NC," said senior Jake Barker, as he scanned the crowd gathered outside the school. "There's lots of great kids in our class."

For the seniors, memories of their final year as high schoolers revolve around football games and having a good time with friends, whether it was pulling an all-nighter, going hunting or laughing in class.

"Our class likes to live it up," said senior John Marton. "It's about time (we're graduating)."

"Our class had a lot of great people that influenced a lot of people," said senior Shane Gamble.

Senior Willie Forbes joked that the Class of 2008 is full of, "crazy kids, a bunch of hooligans, really." But that's part of what makes the seniors special, he said, in addition to their love of hunting, fishing and being outdoors.

"We're a bunch of rednecks!" Wille said.

The future is bright for the seniors leaving behind Natrona County High School, he said.

"We're gonna keep on keepin' on," Willie said. "We made it through. We're gonna be a successful class."

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com

Natrona County High School graduation

Natrona County High School will hold its graduation ceremony on Saturday at the Casper Events Center. A senior slide show begins at 7 p.m. and commencement begins at 7:30 p.m.