VIDALIA — Approximately 350 people filled the Vidalia Convention Center Wednesday evening to celebrate the academic accomplishments of more than 100 high school scholars.

The banquet is celebrated each year and recognizes the students from each of the five high schools in the district who maintained the required grade-point average with top marks in all subject areas, said Concordia Parish Schools Superintendent Whest Shirley.

The students also received T-shirts and certificates for their achievements.

Freshmen who maintained a 4.0 grade-point average, sophomores who maintained at least a 3.8 GPA and juniors and seniors who maintained at least a 3.5 GPA received invitations.

Attendees included not only the honorees, but also their principals, teachers, parents and school board members who wanted to celebrate their success.

With a little more than a month left in the school year, some of Wednesday night’s attendees were eagerly awaiting summer vacation while the graduating seniors were preparing to step into the next phase of their lives.

Knowing this, guest speaker Brittney Von Tres Scott, a 2005 graduate of Ferriday High School, said she decided to impart wisdom from her high school experience.

“Almost 15 years ago, I sat in your seat proud to be here, because I knew all of the hard work that went into that moment,” Scott said. “But, as exceptional scholars, you all know that the hard work does not stop here.”

Scott said life is guaranteed to have its bumps and bruises, but assured the students that every failure is just a lesson learned. Her warning about the tough road that lies ahead of them ended on a positive note, as she reminded them to cherish every moment of it.

“Do not rush life,” Scott said. “Enjoy being a teenager and enjoy every moment that you have … because this is the beginning of the rest of your life.”