Family and friends filled the Frank Erwin Center today as Akins High School celebrated the Class of 2019. 

Superintendent Paul Cruz welcomed the guests and encouraged grads as they finish their high school years. 

"We want you to be successful and we want you to help others along the way," he said. "We want the world to know how smart you are, and how much you care."

Principal Tina Salazar introduced a special guest to the ceremony, Justin Iglehart, the grandson of school namesake Charles Akins. 

Iglehart said his grandfather loved commencement season and hearing about the students' achievements.

"As honored as my grandfather was to have a school named after him, he would have traded that honor for the success of any one student," Iglehart said. "And as I think of his legacy, one of his greatest attributes was how he showed respect to everyone. Grads, you are now part of Dr. Akins' legacy."