Adams County Christian School sent 41 graduates out into the world after its commencement ceremonies Friday night.

Before the ceremony, some students expressed reluctance, while others were glad to be done with high school.

“I’m really sad,” said Amanda Trippe, whose plans include being a cheerleader at Co-Lin — Weston and pursuing a career in dental hygene. “Everyone is excited, but no one wants to get out of high school — we’re a close class.”

Matt Johnson, who will study Psychology at Hines Community College and possibly go into crimminal psychology, said the class had a lot of good times.

“The last week of school was pretty exciting, but we got through the year,” he said.

Excited to see high school finished, Nick Herring, who will study construction engineering at Louisiana Tech. University, said he had more pressing matters on his mind.

“I’m ready for the afterparty,” he said.

Valedictorian Brittany Allen reminisced about her years at ACCS.

When students were younger, teachers would walk them through the high school on days when it was rainy or cold, Allen said.

“I thought those high school students were so much older,” she said.

When junior high came, they attended classes in the high school building, but they were scared to death of the older students, Allen said.

“By the time we got to high school, we were no longer scared of or worshipped the seniors,” she said.

The journey to graduation was long and difficult, she said.

Allen challenged her classmates to find their identity and strength in God.

Salutatorian JoHanna Applegate thanked her friends, family and teachers.

All of them played an important role, she said.

“The real thanks goes to God, our creator and our sustainer,” she said.

It is important to look to the future for God’s plan, she said.

Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation Larry “Butch” Brown told the students to value their high school friendships.

“You will make new acquaintences as you go about your lives, but the truest bonds are around you in this group,” he said.

Adulthood will bring changes for the graduates, and one of those changes will be having to make their own decisions.

“From now on, the choices — good, bad or questionable — are all yours,” he said.