By SABRINA SIMMS

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Roses floated across a green wave of caps and gowns at Cathedral High School’s graduation ceremony Friday evening, as 37 graduates said goodbyes to their beloved classmates.

Some commencement ceremonies celebrate graduates — boasting about their accomplishments and scholarships — as they begin the next phase of their lives.

Cathedral graduates passed out flowers to their families, loved ones and educators who guided them to that moment. Some students embraced their teachers as if they were saying goodbye.

Graduation is a celebration, and each senior took their diplomas with smiles on their faces.

As Caroline Kaiser gave her salutatorian speech, she reflected on many different memories she shared with her classmates — some memories she shared with them for the last time.

“One last time,” Kaiser said. “How many times have we heard that this is our last time we will pass through here. … I’m sure there are many things that we will miss in the next year, things we aren’t even aware of right now.”

Kaiser encouraged her class as they prepared for the rest of their lives by telling them to treat everything as though it was their last chance to and live out each day to its fullest.

“Tonight … we say goodbyes like it’s the last time, even though our hearts tell us that it’s not,” Kaiser said. “Know that I love you all and wish everyone the best of luck in the future.”

Cathedral’s valedictorian Daphne Sullivan said her peers have come from different ethnicities, and each of them has shown her the unique talents they have to offer the world.

She congratulated them with the confidence that they were all ready to face the world with the lessons they have learned.

“My time at Cathedral has … helped me strengthen my beliefs while allowing me to accept the beliefs of others,” Sullivan said. “We are all individuals. We all have the potential to do great things. We all can make changes.”