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CONCORD, N.C. -- Hundreds of graduating seniors and their family members packed into the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center Monday for Piedmont High School's commencement ceremony.

The ceremony was special both because it was the 50th class to graduate from the school and because the commencement address was delivered by country music star Trace Adkins. His message: Be passionate in everything you do.

"As you go on, go to college, whatever it is you choose to learn more about, you need to have a passion for that, or you're just wasting time," said Adkins.

Adkins’ appearance can be credited to two Piedmont students who wrote him a letter asking that he speak at the event.

“It lets me know that all you have to do is ask and all they can say is no,” said Ashlee Price, one of the letter writers. “When you need something in life, just you have to ask for it.”

Members of Piedmont’s graduating class received more than $14 million combined in scholarships.