COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) - A new tradition was established at the end of yesterday's Coldwater High School Commencement Exercises; the members of the Class of 2012 tossed their caps at the north end of Cardinal Field while the Victory Bell tolled 201 times, once for each new graduate.

An overflow crowd sat through temperatures that hovered near 90 Sunday  afternoon to take in the last of Branch County's graduation ceremonies. Co-Valedictorians of the Class of 2012 were Rebecca Schorfhaar, daughter of Class Advisors Jeff & Tammi Schorfhaar, and Hannah Ford, daughter of Ron & Jane Ford. Elizabeth Long, daughter of George & Karen Long, was named Salutatorian, while Ashley Burkhardt, daughter of Kip & Michelle Burkhardt, was recognized with the John Vance Award of Character and Achievement.