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Ferriday High School graduates throw their hats in celebration after their graduation ceremony Thursday. (Nicole Hester/The Natchez Democrat)

From left, Selena Jones, 17, Tyrieny Kelly, 18, and Keirstan Lewis, 17, prepare themselves before the ceremony. (Nicole Hester/The Natchez Democrat)

Valedictorian Delandrius Dunbar speaks during the ceremony. (Nicole Hester/The Natchez Democrat)

Derrionte Jefferson holds hands and dances with other graduates at the end of the Ferriday High School graduation.

Darylana Cain watches and cheers on her nephew Delandrius Dunbar, as he is announced as valedictorian during the ceremony. (Nicole Hester/The Natchez Democrat)

Salutatorian Alexus Calhoun dances and sings with other graduates at the end of the ceremony. (Nicole Hester/The Natchez Democrat)

FERRIDAY — Ferriday High School awarded diplomas to 50 students and recognized more than $275,000 in scholarships Thursday night at its graduation celebration.

Before the Ferriday High School Band played “Pomp and Circumstance” in the junior high gym, the class of 2016 gathered in a circle, holding hands for a group prayer.

“It was just a little prayer to help ease us so we wouldn’t be too nervous,” said Alona Bowman, who plans to attend Copiah-Lincoln Community College studying to be a physical therapist. “And so that we would have a good ceremony.”

Bowman, who said she was nervous about giving the invocation, wanted to congratulate all of her classmates who made it through the times both good and bad.

“We’ve shared a lot of memories, we’ve gotten into fights and arguments, but most of all we have all come together,” she said. “We have all had a long journey to get here, but we made it.”

Near the end of the line in the hall, Deyana Robinson was both excited and nervous, but she said it’s what they’ve all been working toward.

“Some days it was hard, some days it was easy, but we never gave up,” said the future Grambling State University nursing student. “I love all of my classmates — we have a special bond.”

Delandrius Dunbar, the school’s 2016 valedictorian, said graduation was the moment he and his classmates had been waiting for since many of them first met in the Head Start program. Dunbar received the president’s scholarship from Philander Smith College, which is worth $95,306.

“Today is the day that all of our stress, our frustration, our tension and our anxiety pay off,” he said. “We will walk on one side of the stage as high school students, and emerge on the other side as adults ready to face the world.

“I know this seems like the end, but it is only the beginning.”

Dunbar challenged his classmates to keep going forward.

“We can say that we have the experience to keep fighting, to keep climbing, until we reach the mountain top,” he said. “But this is definitely not the end of our work.”

Ferriday High School Principal Joyce Russ said though it was her first year at the school, she had known many of the students from when they attended Ferriday Upper Elementary School.

“Our graduates are finally able to get out in the real world,” she said. “I think they are going to do amazing things.”

When salutatorian Alexus Calhoun was charged to come up with a speech, Calhoun said she went through the things that inspired her as a student. One of the first aspects the future Philander Smith College student thought of was her elementary days with Dr. Seuss.

“So what do you say, class of 2016, do you think the world is ready for us?” Calhoun said. “Just remember in God to put all your trust.

“Never forget, we are great. We are the class of eight plus eight.”

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