XENIA — Dr. Hank Jackoby has only been Xenia High School’s principal for one school year.

But it didn’t take him long to figure out the senior class.

“The first thing I noticed about the class of 2017 is their spirit and and their connectedness,” Jackoby said. “They demonstrated this on the fields and courts, in the stands, and in the classroom. They have reached out to underclassmen and the community as well, making friends, and serving as role models. This spirit the class of 2017 has unites them in a very special way.”

The 298 seniors will celebrate commencement 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 24 at the Wright State Nutter Center.

Collectively, the seniors were offered $5.968 million in scholarships — $3.165 million was accepted — and 180 have plans to attend either a 4-year or 2-year college or university.

” … It is evident that they have made the most out of their experiences by taking advantage of the opportunities here at Xenia High School,” Jackoby said. “Assisting students in getting scholarships and finding pathways to good careers and citizenship is the reward for Xenia High School staff. It’s where we can help put dollars back in pockets of parents and families here in Xenia.”

The remainder of the class has future plans decided as well. Ten are joining the military and 108 are going into the work force.

Xenia doesn’t name valedictorians and salutatorians. Instead, the top 5 percent are named graduates of distinction. They are Christina Bistrek; Anna Brown; Jamea Clark; Michael Graham; Natalie Jones; Amelia Maloney; Peyton McLain; Anna Moore; Mikayla Morris; Kerstin Norris; Hannah Propes; Allison Rapp; Alexis Rickels; Kylie Saner; and Eli Shapiro.

“I am extremely proud of our graduating seniors,” Jackoby said.