The atmosphere at the Natchez High School football stadium was that of a party. Spectators shouted greetings to friends. Some brought pompoms and noisemakers.

Some graduates’ smiles mirrored that atmosphere.

“I’m happy — I’m ready to go,” said graduating senior Jaleesa Williams.

Williams, who plans to go to Jackson State University, said she would miss parts of her high school experience.

Her best high school memory was of her first year.

“My ninth grade year we had the biggest food fight,” she said.

Jeremy Taylor had mixed feelings.

“I’m glad to be leaving, but at the same time, I don’t want to go,” Taylor said. “All my friends — I’m going to miss all of them.”

Dinah Sullivan said she had big plans once she left the stadium.

“I’m going to go to Hines County Community College,” Sullivan said. “Well, I’m going to party until August 20,then I’m going to Hines.”

Family and friends yelled approval as the graduating seniors processed onto the field.

In her speech, Valedictorian Charlette Brenice Mock said although through the past four years, students had created memories, it wasn’t the end.

“Tonight also marks the beginning of a new life for us,” Mock said. “It’s the first chapter in our individual books of life.”

She asked her peers to show many qualities, but especially honesty, determination and to try their best.

“Choose to be determined, for a determined person always achieves her goal,” she said. “Choose to be the best in all you do, and no one can fault you. You only have one life to live, so make the best of it.”

Salutatorian Carita Irene Winn said she saw a new addition to the old saying that ‘behind every good man there’s a good woman.’

“Behind every successful person there stands a good family,” Winn said. “My family was in my corner when no one else was”

Finally, she congratulated her peers before they walked across the stage.

“Because of our hard work and dedication, we stand before you as high school graduates,” she said.