NATCHEZ &8212; &8220;Today is a day for celebrating.&8221; These were the first of the words in Valedictorian Whitney Logan address to the class of 2006.

Friday evening Natchez High School celebrated the departure of the class of 2006 with words of farewell, good luck and challenges to the class to go out and better themselves financially, educationally and spiritually.

There were 239 graduates with 44 graduating with honors and 15 graduating with honors with distinction.

&8220;It&8217;s always an exciting time of the year when these young people receive a diploma from the Natchez Adams County School District,&8221; Superintendent Anthony Morris said.

&8220;There is always the hope that they will return to the area to give back to the community. Though that is becoming more difficult with people becoming more mobile.&8221;

Morris refers to graduates like Samuel Thomas.

&8220;I don&8217;t think I want to come back to Natchez,&8221; Thomas

said. &8220; I&8217;d really like to move to Atlanta.&8221;

Thomas plans on attending Alcorn State University and becoming a registered nurse.

Still there are others like Jawanna Thompson who plans on staying a while.

&8220;For my first two years I&8217;m going to Co Lin Natchez then I&8217;ll transfer to Alcorn,&8221; Thompson said. &8220;I&8217;d like to study to become a biology teacher and maybe come back.&8221;

In her address to the class, Logan said she and her classmates had been blessed with a special gift.

&8220;We have been blessed with a most special bank account, the bank account of knowledge,&8221; Logan said.

She reminded her classmates of how when they were young they each had dreams of living prosperously and happily in their adult lives. She challenged every one of her friends to go out and seek that life but never forget those who helped fill that account.

&8220;I am grateful for that of my parents and grandparents. My success stems greatly from their contributions,&8221; Logan said.

Government teacher Samuel Kelly spoke in high regard for the class of 2006.

&8220;In the years I have taught at this school, I think that this is the best bunch of kids ever to come through here,&8221; Kelly said. &8220;I am very proud that I had the opportunity to teach every one of them and I think that if they demonstrate the kind of excellence they showed here at Natchez High, then I believe they will go far in life.&8221;