From left are Linna Le, Maia Thomas, Stephen Atkinson, Mallorie Johnson, Tessa Winbigler, Noah Craven and Kayla Winbigler.

THOMASVILLE – A group of Thomas County Central High School seniors took advantage of an opportunity to celebrate its upcoming graduation with a fun-filled trip to a popular amusement park.

These students participated in Grad Bash, an event where seniors from all over the country come to celebrate the fact that they are about to graduate. The amusement parks Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida, shut down to the public for the event held May 1.

Chaperons that attended the trip were faculty members of TCCHS and Thomas County Schools.

“The 50 students that went had to pay $130, which covered the tickets into both parks and a spot on the charter bus to get there,” TCCHS teacher and event chaperone Justin Quigg said. “Several of the students had never been to an amusement park like this, so I liked to see their excitement when they arrived.”

Seniors were able to ride rides and walk around from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. There was also a live concert featuring Trey Songz as participants entered the park, and it continued later that night.

“The Hulk was such a thrilling ride, which made it best ride in the whole park” senior Stephen Atkinson said.

Seniors enjoyed the chance to spend some quality time together before high school graduation and the start of the next phase of their lives.

“I enjoyed spending the last few memories of my high school career with some of my closet friends,” senior Mallorie Johnson said.