NATCHEZ — For many parents, seeing your child speak as high school valedictorian is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For Roger and Pat Davis it is a typical Natchez High School graduation.

Rebecca Davis, this year’s valedictorian, was preceded by her sisters Angela, 1999 valedictorian, and Renee, 2002 salutatorian,

“They’ve always been my mentors,” Rebecca said. “I’ve always looked up to them.”

After having two sisters graduate in the top of their class, she said she expected to do the same.

“I always felt like I had big shoes to fill,” she said. “I worked a little harder but there was no pressure.”

Rebecca reinforced this theme in her speech. “Getting here has not been easy, but it was not supposed to be,” she said.

Renee and Angela said they expected great things from Rebecca.

“I always thought she was the smartest out of all of us,” Renee said.

Parents, Roger and Pat Davis were also excited to watch another daughter graduate as valedictorian.

“We’re obviously proud. They’re all very self-motivated,” Roger said.

They did not push their children to succeed, but they did encourage them, Roger said.

“Education has always been foremost in our house.”

Like her mother, father and both sisters, Rebecca will attend LSU in the fall.

Kendall Logan, Mr. Natchez High, also spoke and offered the crowd a bit of humor.

“Tonight we will leave no longer as boys and girls but as men and women,” he said. “But mom and dad, please don’t take away the finances.”

Many other students were also excited about seeing their four years of work pay off. Danny Ray Thompson Jr., who will attend Mississippi State University and study psychology, said the night was emotional for him.

“It’s like an incredible build up. It’s like you did all the work for four years and it’s finally over. It’s our last night of being high school students.”

Dustin Adams, who will attend the University of Southern Mississippi and study nursing, also said he was excited.

“I’m glad that we’ve finally made it this far after four years.”

James Loftin, Natchez High School principal, expressed his pride in the graduates and encouraged the students, including those not attending college to be the best they can. He quoted Martin Luther King Jr. in saying, “If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail.”