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Vidalia High School's Class of 2024 are silhouetted by the setting sun Friday as they walk toward graduation. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Graduate Hope Rollins shares a song at graduation Friday. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

A Vidalia High grad receives her diploma. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

A Vidalia graduate celebrates after receiving her diploma. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Families of graduates cheer their accomplishments. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Families of graduates cheer their accomplishments. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Genesis Turner, daughter of Latoya and Malcolm Turner of Dallas, were in Vidalia Friday to celebrate the graduation of family member Dra'carl Dewayne Chatman. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Family members of graduate Dra'Carl Dewayne Chatman stop for a photo before graduation begins Friday in Vidalia. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Vidalia High Class of 2024 tosses caps into the air after receiving their diplomas. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — With a backdrop of a bright orange setting sun, 78 members of the Vidalia High School Class of 2024 grabbed their caps and tossed them high in the air, ending their youth and taking a step toward the future.

Hundreds of happy and supportive — and relieved — family and friends wore t-shirts with the images of the graduates, yelled, blew horns, and released balloons and confetti as each graduate walked to the stage to receive their diploma from Vidalia High School Principal Kara Masling.

Salutatorian Madison Brooke Ainsworth and Valedictorian Sarah Elizabeth Freeman thanked their classmates, reminisced about special moments in school, and thanked teachers and their parents. Hope Rollins sang a tribute to her classmates.

Graduates included Madison Brooke Ainsworth, Ciera Mae Alexis, Brittany Nichelle Anderson, Madison Brooke Barnes, Elissa Grace Barr, Jenna Grace Birely, Manning Jett Bourke, Joseph Anthony Burns, Braylon Isaiah Bush, Alexis Morgan Byram, Logan Banks Chapman, Dra’carl Dewayne Chatman, Ephram Morgan Clark, Ayden Brice Cole, Ashton Gage Cupstid, Chloe Lynn Curlee, Halle Ann Davenport, Kabari Jakel Davis, Scottie Lee Dixon Jr., Ramsey Kay Drennan, Porsche Annika Duck, Jashira Lakise Duncan, Ronald Keith Ellis Jr., Ian Tyler Forbess, Sarah Elizabeth Freeman, Je’Lexis, Jakaila Gibbs, Harlin Nathanial Green, Janeccia Nicole Green, Mayra Pamela Guillen Ramos, Matthew Evan Havard, Devin James Hebert, Jalon Jamal Hueing, Madison Requel Jackson, Vegas Faith Jackson, Zaikia Kiyante’ Jackson, Anasia Ariana Jefferson, Morgan Paige Johnese, Louis Richard Jordan, Anna Claire Jowers, Luke Cambron King, Adrian Bryce Kiser, Linda Kay Kleimann, Allie Grace LeBlanc, Dudley LeBlanc III, DaMyra La’Jae Lewis, Abbie Michelle Linder, Matthew Wayne Long Jr., Taylor Raine McElwee, Anna Kathlene Mullins, Tracey Nguyen, Tuan Nguyen, Markeysha Nicole Paul, Sophia Marie Rabb, Hope Renea Rollins, Gabriel Thomas Rushing, Nathan Cole Sandy, Kiersten Jamiri Schiele, Demaris Mariana Siles, Jeremiah Diazz Smallwood, Ella-Grace Smith, Jonathan Stewart, Joedan Lynn Stickland, Savannah Leigh Tiser, Chase Evan Vestal, Kiara Rene’ Washington, Marley-Lou Sunshine Watson, Clayton Lee Watts, Hallie Elizabeth Weatherley, Niyha Mornae’ Webb, Emma Braylee Windham, Natalie Morgan Yakey, Faith Corrine LeBlanc, A’sha Armsted and Ki’le Javon Walker.,

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