&uot;Is everybody’s tassel on the left side?&uot; senior sponsor Gwen Young asked the 27 members of Trinity High School’s graduating class Friday night.

After a few more group hugs, senior walked down the hall of Trinity Episcopal Church. &uot;This is the first step to our actual life — you know, the real world,&uot; said senior Brooke Spillers.

As the graduates brushed away tears, class President Will Jones welcomed everyone and admonished future classes not to wish their high school days away. &uot;I open my eyes tonight and it seems only an instant,&uot; Jones said.

Salutatorian Ree Vess agreed with Jones.

&uot;We, despite our downfalls, have succeeded in being a haven of happiness and security for one another,&uot; Vess said.

Valedictorian Sarah Kirby equated the class to a group of minnows placed into an aquarium.

&uot;As the years have passed, some minnows moved out and others moved in. … Parents have filtered the water,&uot; Kirby said. &uot;It is time for the fish, I mean class, of 2000 to move out of the aquarium into the sea of life. We are ready to swim in the sea.&uot;

The senior class listened as the Rev. Chip Davis, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, approached the podium and likened graduates to light.

&uot;We measure many physical phenomena by light: it is a measurement of speed, darkness, and reflective ability,&uot; he said. &uot;When we are willing to take risks, when we see our gifts as the stuff that makes us reflective of the light of Jesus, we make the world more beautiful for others.&uot;

The graduates were then presented their diplomas by Headmaster Michael Hannan and congratulated by Rep. Andrew Ketchings, R-Natchez.

Before descending the stairs of the podium, each senior moved the tassel to the right amid a standing ovation mingled with whoops and cheers from family and friends.