Trinity Episcopal School says farewell to 29 graduates

Published 12:13 am Monday, May 23, 2011

Ben Hillyer | The Natchez Democrat — Friends and classmates help carry Trinity graduate Dylan Pressgrove down the church stairs during the procession Sunday. Pressgrove was paralyzed in a car accident on Jan. 1, 2010 that injured four other classmates and marked time for the class of 2011.

NATCHEZ — A crowd which filled Trinity Episcopal Church Sunday watched 29 seniors graduate from Trinity Episcopal Day School and listened to the guidance of the class’ religion teacher, the salutatorian, valedictorian and “The Wizard of Oz.”

Ben Hillyer | The Natchez Democrat — Trinity graduate Helena St. Calir recieves hugs and congratulations Sunday afternoon.

After reading a passage from the L. Frank Baum novel, Valedictorian Sarah Elizabeth Bryan said graduates should remember that, like the Wizard of Oz tried struggled to make Dorothy understand, home is inside oneself.

“What the Wizard didn’t realize is that we all know how to get home,” Bryan said.

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Bryan said while Natchez has been home to the graduates for so long, it will grow and change as her class moves away.

“Your home is what you believe in,” she said.

Bryan said just like the lion, scarecrow and tin man, her classmates had everything they needed inside of them already.

“Remember you are great and remember the people with you on your journey to greatness,” Bryan said.

Although her classes legacy will fade, Bryan said, those people whom they have touched emotionally will have the memories forever.

The Rev. Brandt A. Dick told the graduates if they pay attention to the good in life, they will have good lives.

“Seek out the good and you will find it; seek out bad and you will find that too — you have the choice,” Dick said.

Salutatorian Morgan Elizabeth Huber pointed out how special her class was to her.

“Our class is different than most. We are not a class, but a family,” Huber said.

The Trinity of 2011 class has had its high points, including a first baseball championship and second straight football championship.

The class has also had its lows, she said, pointing to last year’s New Year’s Day car accident, which sent two members of the graduating class and three other students to the hospital.

“Jan. 1, 2010, was a challenge no one expected, but together we got through it,” Huber said.

Huber said the class will likely be remembered for its sense of humor, pointing out that seven senior boys were willing to dress up as women for a Spring Fling fashion show.

“Telling my class goodbye is not gong to be easy,” she said, because she feels like her classmates are like brothers and sisters.