NATCHEZ — The 41 graduates of Adams County Christian School marched across the stage at First Baptist Church Friday night, proud not only of their accomplishments, but expressing words of thanks for their education.

Salutatorian Anna Kate Scott said she was thankful to ACCS for the huge role it had in shaping her into who she was and into the person she hopes to become.

Addressing her classmates, Scott encouraged them to go forward from their shared educational experience and embrace their individuality so they could, “truly begin to see the people we can be.”

“Youth puts us in a unique position of being able to be passionate and idealistic while remaining rational and logical,” she said.

“Many say youth is wasted on the young. My challenge to you is not to waste it.”

Valedictorian Katie Cloy said she was thankful for the environment in which she’d received her high school education.

“We have all been blessed to have attended a fine Christian school where we were able to pray together as a Christian family and share a Christian worldview,” she said.

Graduation represents the “right now” moment for the beginning of the students’ future, Cloy said, and at ACCS they received an education that will serve as a platform for that future.

Challenging her classmates, Cloy told them to seek God for guidance and try to make a difference in the world.

“Just getting by does not make the world better,” she said. “The future is in all our hands, so let’s try to make the best of it.”

Commencement speaker Carolyn Ridley — the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce 2014 Natchez Woman of the Year — told the graduates they were about to experience a new level of freedom, but with it they represent the community from which they came.

“You now represent Adams County —  represent us well,” she said. “As a community, we are all woven together to make one beautiful tapestry. Don’t ever be misled to believe your life doesn’t matter, don’t ever think your actions and choices are nobody’s business but your own. Everything you do will have an effect on the life of another.”

She also encouraged them to practice basic discipline in life — “show up on time” — and be accountable to others.

“Don’t be afraid to  strive,” she said. “Don’t be afraid of failure. If you fail or you fall, get up again and persevere in your efforts.”

Ridley also told those present that for the students good times will come, but so will hard times.

“When the tough times come for them, embrace them, love them, correct them, challenge them and support them,” she said. “Don’t ever underestimate the power of our love and prayers for them.

“We too represent Adams County in the ACCS name, and we want these graduates to know Adams County is a place of refuge, of healing, of safety, a place to celebrate their victories and a place to get through the agonies of their defeat. They will always have one guarantee, that they will have us to lean on.”