NATCHEZ — Before walking down the aisle for 45th Copiah-Lincoln Community College commencement Friday, Heather Rein of Clayton already had a job.

The respiratory therapy major had accepted a job at Rapides Regional Medical Center earlier in the week.

“I enjoyed Co-Lin,” Rein said. “I met a lot of great professors who would take time out of their busy schedule to help me out. It is a great small school.”

Art major Daryl Cosby of Natchez, meanwhile, plans to continue his education at Jackson State University after graduation.

Cosby hopes to earn a degree in animation and go on to produce a comic book series and either a television or web animated series.

“Co-Lin was a really great experience,” Cosby said. “The teachers were really nice and helpful, whether online or in person.”

Non-traditional student Ryan Porter of Natchez came to Co-Lin for a different experience — to recreate himself.

Previously, the automation and controls technology major who said he is looking to work with Entergy, had graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in therapeutic recreation.

“I learned more in the past two years at Co-Lin than I did in six years of traditional college,” Porter said. “I hope to incorporate the two disciplines in the future.”

All three are examples of the 166 students graduating Friday evening that music education major Taylor Spring, who gave the commencement speech, said stayed in Natchez and grew.

“To quote one of my favorite movies, ‘Dazed and Confused,’ ‘I just want to look back and say I did it the best I could while I was stuck in this place. Had as much fun as I could while I was stuck in this place. Played as hard as I could while I was stuck in this place,’” Spring said.

“In my two years at Co-Lin, I have learned valuable lessons and grown more into the person I strive to be. I have grown into a leader, a musician and a college graduate. I thank God I was stuck in this place.”

Spring said she was told she would have to leave Natchez to go to college, but her mother, Angela Spring, convinced her otherwise.

“She had attended Co-Lin several years prior,” Spring said. “Iremember her coming home from class and telling me all about her teachers. She would retell stories to me from Mr. (Joe) Swoveland or give advice she learned from Dr. (Arcola) Sullivan. I was enamored enough to agree on considering it.

“When orientation day arrived, I realized my mother was right. I was mixed with nerves and excitement to finally meet and learn from the teachers my mother had talked so fondly of.”

Spring had a message for her fellow graduates.

“Graduates, this is the night you have worked so hard to reach,” Spring said. “I hope the same responsibility and patience you have used to pursue your goals at Co-Lin will be applied throughout your life, no matter what situation arises.”

Biology major Haley Turner during the welcome speech called the class formidable.

“These past two years has involved some of the most memorable and influential moments in our lives,” Turner said. “Class of 2017, you have long anticipated this day, some with eagerness, some with anxiety, some with a complicated mix of emotions — but whatever you are feeling here today, you deserve to hold a keen sense of pride. You’ve made it!”

Co-Lin Natchez Vice President Teresa Busby said she agreed the class of 2017 was formidable.

“They were all hard workers and respectful and kind,” Busby said. “I am just so proud of them. This was a really special group.”