Marietta Seniors Practice Graduation Skills

As "Hakuna Matata" strained over a graduation practice today at Northcutt Stadium for Marietta High's Class of 2011, associate principal Ron Brookins could hardly stop beaming.

Brookins gave a laugh as he called the meerkat-warthog duet "the theme song" for the school's latest graduating class. But he said it made perfect sense because this class of students—like no other before them—faced challenges with smiles and confidence.

"It was a constant refrain: Don't worry, Mr. Brookins," he said. "And it was true. This is the Lion King generation."

About 360 students are due to graduate from Marietta High School on Saturday, and most of them attending a final sitting for a class picture on Wednesday and the first of two practices at Northcutt Stadium this morning.