By Mary Kathryn Carpenter

NATCHEZ — Cathedral High School Valedictorian Alyssa Stewart left her classmates with a few simple words of advice Friday night during the school’s 167th graduation ceremony.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition,” Stewart said, quoting Apple founder, Steve Jobs.

Stewart was one of 35 graduates to receive their diploma at St. Mary’s Basilica.

The evening was one filled with the graduates hearing words of wisdom, including messages of hope and courage.

The Most Rev. Joseph R. Kopacz, who is Bishop of the Diocese of Jackson, wished for the graduates to be flexible in what life may bring their way.

“Accept what is around the corner in life and round that corner with confidence,” Kopacz said.

During the ceremony, the graduates were ecstatic.

Some students hugged Principal Pat Sanguinetti, while Colby Horton shook his hand zealously.

“It just kind of happened,” Horton said.

Some graduates had mixed feelings about their final night as students.

“I’m sad, but I’m excited at the same time,” Presley Davis said before the ceremony began.

Others were celebrating as soon as they were past the church doors.

“We did it,” Chaz Jackson said as he embraced fellow graduate Rachel Benoit after the ceremony.

Salutatorian Gabrien Panteria said the memories made in the hallways of Cathedral School are something she and her classmates will always carry with them.

“We have spent the last four years building relationships and defining ourselves as high school students; in spite of that, we must now rediscover ourselves in new surrounds with different people,” Panteria said. “In the fall, or even before then, my fellow classmates and I will be tackling the challenge of starting anew, whether it be in Baton Rouge, Oxford, Starkville, Ruston, Wesson, Natchez or beyond. However, I know we all have the capability and potential to reach our goals, achieve anything we set our minds to and overcome any challenges we may face in the future.”

Jean Biglane, a long-time teacher and class sponsor for the Class of 2014, had two simple words of advice for the graduates — words she has bestowed upon them nearly every Friday for the past two years and many students before them.

“I would tell them what I tell them every Friday, ‘wise choices,’” Biglane said.