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From left, Natchez-Adams School District Board of Education member LLJuna Grennell Weir, Dr. Dianne Bunch and Phillip West make their way to their seats on Friday. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

From left, Natchez Ward 4 Alderwoman Felicia Bridgewater-Irving and Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson make their way to their seats at graduation Friday. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

From right, Natchez Adams School Superintendent Zandra McDonald and Tony Fields, the district's public engagement coordinator, make their way to their seats Friday night. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez High and Natchez Early College graduates make their way to their seats on the football field at Tom F. Williams Memorial Stadium Friday. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Family members cheer as graduates make their way to receive their diplomas. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Family members cheer as graduates make their way to receive their diplomas. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

A proud family member blows his very loud air horn in celebration at his graduate marches on to the football field Friday night. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

The Natchez High School Honor Guard presents the colors during the singing of the National Anthem at graduation Friday night. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez Early College Valedictorian Angelica King speaks to her fellow graduates. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez High School Valedictorian Jayla Pilcher speaks to her fellow graduates on Friday. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

A graduate stops for a photo while accepting her diploma at Natchez High and Natchez Early College graduation Friday evening. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Zelik Patten earns his diploma with honors from Natchez Early College Friday night. Patten also earned an associates degree from Copiah-Lincoln Community College. (Submitted)

Natchez Early College graduates were the first to receive their diplomas Friday. They party and celebrate as they are told to turn their tassels. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez High Class of 2025 prepares to receive their diplomas. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — Family and friends of the Natchez High School and Natchez Early College Class of 2025 began taking seats in the Tom F. Williams Memorial Stadium at approximately 5:30 p.m. for the graduation ceremony, which was not scheduled to start until 7:30 p.m.

They carried placards with their graduates’ names, and bouquets — and bouquets with dozens and dozens of dollar bills shaped like flowers — were plentiful. Custom T-shirt makers made a small fortune on family and friends of Natchez and Natchez Early College graduates. Many with photos of the graduate as a baby and years since, heralded the pride of the significant life milestone.

After what was a two-hour wait for many, the sun set just as graduates marched into the stadium. A hot and humid afternoon gave way to a calm, soft breeze that felt refreshing on brows and necks dripping with sweat.

The mood of the crowd, which took every possible seat in the stadium and overflowed onto the areas in front and beside the stands by more than a hundred, was one of joy and relief mixed with excitement and a touch of sadness.

Natchez Early College graduated 44 students. Each earned their high school diploma and associate’s degree from Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Thus, these graduates have effectively completed the first two years of college toward earning a four-year bachelor’s degree.

Natchez High School graduated 118 students in its Class of 2025, including one diploma presented posthumously to TyKeria De’Miyah Rogers. Her brother and sister received her diploma.

Natchez Early College Valedictorian Angelica King told her classmates that they have taught her life lessons and helped mold her into the person she wants to be.

“The moments you encouraged me or were just being yourselves taught me so much about life and who I wanted to be as a person. Tonight, I want to share some of those lessons with you,” King said.

She discussed the importance of gratitude and urged her classmates to reach for the stars and ask for help when it was needed.

Natchez High School Valedictorian Jayla Pilcher said she never thought she was good enough to be valedictorian and belittled herself along the way.

“Despite all the self-doubt, I finally made it to the moment I have been so passionate about. I hope my words touch your hearts in a way that helps you on your journey to success,” Pilcher said.

She advised her classmates to learn from their failures and to overcome them.

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