NATCHEZ — Nearly 200 Natchez High School seniors became graduates Friday night, opening chapters of their lives valedictorian Akia Delandria Johnson said offer new beginnings.

“It is the opening of a new chapter of our lives,” she said.

Johnson said her initial thoughts of graduation included finishing school, walking across the stage to receive her diploma and making her parents proud.

“But graduation means much more,” she said. “This is where one chapter opens and another closes. We’re entering a new world with new perspectives. As we cross the stage this evening, we take on new challenges and new responsibilities.”

Johnson admits she and her classmates are guilty of complaining about homework, griping about their lessons, procrastinating and pulling all-nighters.

“But today is anew,” she said. “Even Benjamin Franklin said, ‘You will find the key to success under the alarm clock. Just remember: you can’t climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets.”

Johnson said graduation was the moment she and her classmates have been eagerly awaiting.

“Here, in our caps and gowns, we look out at our families and our friends overwhelmed by the excitement of our achievements and our accomplishments,” she said. “I think I speak for my class when I say it was a journey worth taking.

“Natchez High has given us so much.”

Johnson said all the graduates are leaving Natchez High to go into the world, each one on a different path.

“Though our paths are different, we will encounter tough times, and we have to do our best,” she said. “We have to keep our faith, and we have to remember that you’re going to fall down. But the world doesn’t care how many times you fall down, as long as it’s one fewer than the number of times you get back up.”

Salutatorian Xavier Demarius Bradford said his fellow graduates have many people to thank for helping them along their journey to graduation.

Bradford said he remembers his first day of high school as a nervous teenager about to embark upon a new environment, meet new friends and take new classes.

“We thank our teachers for their immeasurable dedication,” he said. “Thanks to our principals for their leadership, love and support … we can never thank our parents enough for their unconditional love and guidance, and our friends who have walked along with us side-by-side.”

But the time has come, Bradford said, for a change.

“The time has come for us to transcend from a world of familiarity and comfort to a world with unknown challenges and opportunities.”

Bradford reminded his classmates that they are the designers of their futures.

“As we depart Natchez High, it is important that we remember the fun times and those who made us smile,” he said.

Bradford said he is confident he and his classmates will accomplish their goals and dreams in the future.

“We are looking at the future principals, doctors, lawyers, teachers and leaders,” he said. “Success will not always come easy. We will see tough times. But remember, tough times don’t last; tough people do.

“With God on our side, we will succeed.”