By Christian Coffman

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Trinity Episcopal Day School’s class of 2017 celebrated Thursday with memories of the past and hope for the future.

Twenty-four seniors graduated Thursday night during the school’s commencement ceremony at Trinity Episcopal Church.

“I’m just happy to be here, I finally made it; I’m just at a loss for words,” senior Treyveon Russell said, who plans to attend the University of Mississippi.

Cole Mosby said when he first found out he was the salutatorian, he was honored and humbled.

“When I was told to make a speech, I asked for a recalculation,” Mosby said, joking.

Mosby said his class has shared many life-changing events together, such as traveling to Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.

“I am proud to be a classmate to each and every of you,” Mosby said. “I know you’ll produce occupational therapists, accountants, aerospace engineers, financial managers, dentists and many other career ventures.”

Mosby said while his class will go out into the world, they should remember what his father once told him: “Choose what you really want to be and always strive to be the best at what you chose.”

Valedictorian Hannah Fitt said she would have started with a list of “thank you’s,” but didn’t know how to sum it up in a few sentences.

“How can I say what I need to about the friends I’ve made whose parents have accepted me like part of their family,” Fitt said.

Fitt said she came across a picture of a beautiful lake with the caption said, “If you could talk to anyone from the past, present, and future, who would it be and what would you say?” Her answer, she said, was her mother.

“I would want to tell her everything that’s happened since she became my guardian angel,” Fitt said of her mother, who died three years ago.

Fitt related some of the memories she wanted to describe to her mother, such as during freshman year when she and her girlfriends would style one another’s hair and make-up every day and practicing for school plays until 1:30 in the morning.

“Senior year was the year we all came together as a class,” Fitt said. “This class has become my family, and we have been through hard times and have come through it.”

No matter how tough times are, Fitt told her class to push through.

“Work toward your goals and you will succeed,” Fitt said.

The moment was exhilarating for other graduates as well.

“It’s like the whole world came off my shoulders at this point,” senior Joshua McGehee said, who plans on going to the University of Southern Mississippi.

Head of School Christina Daugherty said in her graduation address that though this is her first year to lead the school, she came to know the graduating class well.

Daugherty read off every senior’s name and listed attributes she found admirable from each one, such as great athleticism or leadership skills.

“I wanted to share my thoughts on the graduating class, because they certainly hold a special place in my heart,” Daugherty said.