BLUEFIELD — In a two-hour period Friday night, hundreds of graduates across Mercer, McDowell and Monroe counties took a giant step toward their future.

Commencement exercises for the class of 2009 were held at Bluefield High School, Mount View High School, Big Creek High School, Iaeger High School and James Monroe High School.

At Bluefield High School, 101 graduates accepted their diplomas. Because of the threat of rain, the commencement exercises were moved from Mitchell Stadium to the high school. The 2009 class at Bluefield High School was led into the auditorium by Valedictorian Mark Pullins and Salutatorian Vanita Rachae Graves.

“The faculty, administration, staff and Bluefield community in general wish the 2009 graduating class the best of luck,” BHS Principal Joe Turner said before Friday’s commencement exercises. “It has been an excellent school year. Of course the character and capability of this class will be shown in our two speeches from our valedictorian and salutatorian because these two are top-notch students, and they represent the class very well.”

Commencement exercises will continue today in Mercer County at Princeton Senior High School, Montcalm High School and PikeView High School.

In Monroe County, 116 graduates accepted their diplomas Friday at James Monroe High School. School Superintendent Dr. Lynn Guy joined valedictorian Lily Holz and salutatorian Brooke Hobson in addressing the graduates.

Commencement exercises also were held Friday night across McDowell County.

At Mount View High School in Welch, 91 graduates were awarded diplomas at the Bob N. Jack Auditorium. The valedictorian was Matthew Fullen. The salutatorian was Brittany Worley.

At Big Creek High School, 55 graduates accepted their diplomas Friday night. The valedictorian was Ashley Kennedy, and the co-salutatorians were Ashley Marrs and Brandon Johnson.

At Iaeger High School, 80 graduates accepted their diplomas Friday night. The valedictorian was Anthony Ryan Deskins.

Although construction on the new River View High School in Bradshaw is scheduled for completion early next year, Friday’s commencement exercises for Big Creek High School and Iaeger High School wasn’t the last for the two McDowell County schools.

Because school officials do not want to relocate students from Big Creek and Iaeger to the new River View High School in the middle of the school year, the 2010 commencement exercises will still be held at Big Creek High School and Iaeger High School before the two historic facilities are closed, according to officials with the McDowell County Board of Education.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com