NATCHEZ — Sixty-one Natchez High School students were honored as Mississippi Scholars Wednesday night. The number is the highest ever.

Guidance counselor Iris Myles said students in the program, all seniors, must adhere to a rigorous curriculum to earn a special seal on their diploma and transcripts.

“It really says a lot,” Myles said of the seal. “It’s something all of them had to earn. They had to work for it.”

Completion of the scholars program makes students eligible for several scholarships and grants, Myles said.

This year marked the district’s third year of participation in the program. The state instituted the program in 2003.

Since the program’s inception more than 5,000 across the state have completed the program and graduated as Mississippi Scholars.

Keith Dee, 19, was one of those honored.

“It feels great to be recognized,” Dee said. “It was a lot of work.”

After graduation Dee will attend Copiah-Lincoln Community College on a full scholarship.

“It’s almost over now, and I think everyone is ready to move to the next chapter,” Dee said.

District Superintendent Anthony Morris said since the program was adopted at NHS the number of students involved has grown.

In the first year of the program less than 10 students participated.

“We very proud of all of them,” Morris said. “This validates all the work they’ve done.”