The National Merit Finalist said he looked to the Bible and realized that the journey of the Israelites, as outlined in the book of Numbers, was perfect for the occasion.

The Israelites left Rameses and camped at Succoth.

They left Succoth and camped at Etham, on the edge of the desert.

They left Etham, turned back to Pi Hahiroth, to the east of Baal Zephon, and camped near Migdol.

As Murphy droned on and on, people in the audience began ignoring him and talking among themselves.

They left Pi Hahiroth and passed through the sea into the desert, and when they had traveled for three days in the Desert of Etham, they camped at Marah.

They left Marah and went to Elim, where there were 12 springs and 70 palm trees, and they camped there.

Some in the crowd began to snicker. A few continued to listen politely. Murphy monotonously continued.

They left Elim and camped by the Red Sea.

They left the Red Sea and camped in the Desert of Sin.

They left the Desert of Sin and camped at Dophkah. They left Dophkah and camped at Alush.

After finishing the chapter, which takes the Israelites to about 30 more places, Murphy explained himself.

The passage, Murphy said, is a lot like what is taught in high school.

“It was long, monotonous and most people tuned it out because they couldn’t find a way to apply it to their lives,” he said.

After the crowd erupted in laughter, Murphy congratulated the class of 2003 not only on making it through four years of high school, but also on being able to sit through his speech.

He also said that, as with the Bible, he found guidance and inspiration at Bowling Green High School.

Sunday marked the school’s 91st commencement exercise.

Principal Gary Fields called it “a special day in the life of the school,” but as he ended his first year as principal, it was also a landmark day for him.

He thanked the students for making the first year a successful one.

“They broke me in well,” he said.

Altogether, the graduates received nearly $5 million in scholarship money. The class also scored the highest ever on senior portfolios and graduated four National Merit Finalists. Of the more than 200 that graduated, 65 were honor students.

Because of their hard work, Fields said he has lightened up a little on the dress code he’d tried to enforce early on.

“The fact that I’m letting you keep your hats on during graduation should be an example,” he said jokingly.

Valedictorian Sarina Saheyta said she’s also learned not to be too serious.

“Life is about getting carried away,” she said. “Losing track of time in the hall and running to class.”

Her life has been affected in one way or another by everyone she met at Bowling Green High, she said.

“Each one of your unique personalities has left a lasting impression on me,” she said.

Salutatorian Vicki Lynn Thompson told the class it was now their turn to make an impression on the world.