Travis Taylor knows the importance of thinking positively.

Dr. Travis Taylor of the Rocket City Rednecks addresses the Class of 2013. | Brent Maze

He’s seen how it can work even in the mind of his daughter when she wanted a swimming pool. At the time, he told her that they may not be able to afford it, but his daughter kept a positive attitude and even drew a picture of the pool in their yard.

It worked.

“I didn’t realize that I had a bestseller and that I was about to get a big royalty check,” Taylor told the crowd at J.P. Cain Stadium. “My wife then told me that we had enough money to put in a swimming pool.”

Taylor was the keynote speaker at the graduation on Monday. He said that human’s brain activity is based on quantum physics.

“What you think affects everything around you,” Taylor said.

He also talked about five different things he wished that he would have known coming out of high school.

That list included when to lead or when to follow, when to stay or go away, think safety third and about staying focused.

“Eighty-five percent of those who declare a major will end up graduating,” Taylor said.

Hartselle High School awarded diplomas to 249 students on Monday at J.P. Cain Stadium.

Brandon Long was named the class valedictorian with an average score of 102.703. Elizabeth Connell was the class salutatorian.

Principal Jeff Hyche also announced Mr. and Miss HHS for the Class of 2013. They were Preston Adams and Alice Ann Glasgow.

The graduation exercise was also the last for School Superintendent Dr. Mike Reed. Board president Dr. James Joy presented Reed with a plaque of recognition prior to awarding diplomas.