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CPA graduates receive their diplomas from Principal Whest Shirley. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

The Class of 2024 stand before heading on stage to receive their diplomas. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

A graduate receives her diploma. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Families video and cheer for their graduates. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Dara and Whest Shirley perform a song he wrote for the CPA Class of 2024. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Jackson Remington and his classmates in the CPA Class of 2024 celebrate Friday night. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Graduates celebrate the end of a long journey to earning diplomas. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

The Class of 2024 turn their tassels. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

Family and friends filled up the seats in the Vidalia Convention Center to witness the Class of 2024 graduate. (Jan Griffey | The Natchez Democrat)

VIDALIA, La. — Concordia Parish Academy of Math, Science and Technology Principal Whest Shirley thought the Class of 2024 was so special, he wrote a song for them, which he and his wife, Dara Shirley, performed at graduation Friday night at the Vidalia Convention Center.

Shirley presented diplomas to 20 graduates of the academy, a competitive school that aims to prepare the future physicians, nurses, engineers, and other math, science, and technology-based professionals of the future.

The CPA Class of 2024 includes students who will study pre-medicine at Tulane, study nursing at Alcorn State University, enter a technical school for welders, and one who has a job at Syrah and will enter the local workforce.

Valedictorian is Caroline Rout; salutatorian is Sienna Ewing. Special honors graduates are Sienna Ewing, Kailey Freeman, Ainslee Hall, Alexandra Reynolds, and Caroline Rout. Concordia Parish Diplomas were awarded to Kennedy Barber, Bella Bonomo, Sienna Ewing, Kailey Freeman, Bailey Friloux, Logan Graham, Tacari Johnson, Braxton Knapik, Jackson Remington, Alexandra Reynolds, and Caroline Rout.

Shirley talked about the importance of faith.

“When you leave for the Army, the military, welding school, or Tulane, you better have faith grounded in something. You will be tempted and you will be tested. I hope and pray you are going to be grounded in the things you know are right. When we got on to you for violating the dress code or when we got on you for being late to school, we were trying to establish those principles in you that would make you a better person. You are going to have storms. When the rain comes and the winds blow, you will be grounded,” he told the 20 graduates of the Class of 2024.

“I want you to come back 20 years from now and I want you to introduce yourself and tell me about your husbands and your wives. I want you to tell me about your college experiences, your jobs and I want you to introduce me to your children. But most of all, I want you to tell me what you are doing to make a difference, what you are doing to make your community, this state, this nation and this world a better place,” Shirley said.

The CPA Class of 2024 includes Kennedy Barber, Bella Bonomo, Jadarius Bright, Abbre’ona Davis, Sienna Ewing, Kailey Freeman, Bailey Friloux, Maria Gatlin, Demarco Gilmore, Logan Graham, Ja’keria Griggs, Ainslee Hall, Tacari Johnson, Braxton Knapik, Isaac Reed, Jackson Remington, Alexandra Reynolds, Caroline Rout and Rebecca Spears.

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