By Mollie Beth Wallace

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Despite being Trinity Episcopal Day School’s valedictorian, 18-year-old Madeline Iles said she was full of humility while working on her graduation speech.

Iles said she did not expect to be the valedictorian, but her parents, Greg and Carrie Iles of Natchez, are quite proud.

While excited to enter a new chapter in life, Iles said she will miss getting to see her classmates every day.

“Most of us have been together since kindergarten,” Iles said, “We’ve grown up together.”

Iles, whose parents both graduated from Trinity, said the traditions of her school have made a large impact on her life.

“I feel really connected to the school,” Iles said. “Not just your parents raise you, but the school and the whole community have played a part in making me who I am.” The “Kiss A Senior Goodbye” program at Trinity touched Iles every year, she said, as underclassmen wrote letters saying goodbye to the seniors. But this year it was particularly poignant, Iles said, and she admitted crying throughout the event.

Iles said she spent most of her free time participating in extracurricular activities sponsored by the school. She was a member of the Student Council, the National Honor Society, the Key Club and the book club. Iles was also a cheerleader throughout high school, and she played basketball and tennis.

Iles was Trinity’s 2011 Homecoming Queen, a testament to her devotion to the school.

Outside of the community of Saints, Iles said she appreciated the traditions of the City of Natchez as well, such as the Natchez Historic Pageant, where she remembered dancing around the Little Maypole.

In the fall Iles will attend Millsaps College in Jackson. Although she is not sure what she will study, she said she hopes to find the same sense of connection there.

“They encourage you to be who you are,” she said.

Iles said she wanted to pick a college with smaller class sizes, since she enjoyed being part of a tight-knit class at Trinity.

“Teachers stay here so long,” Iles said. “They build relationships with the students.”

Iles said respect for her teachers was the driving force that continually motivated her to strive for excellence in the classroom.

Her English teacher, Gwen Young, said Madeline will be a lifelong learner.

“She’s very respectful of the academic world and very trusting of those around her who are prompting her to question things,” Young said. “And she’s willing to step out and do that.”

Young said she is excited to see what direction Iles will go in, since she knows that any door is open to her.

Young said that in addition to being a great student, Iles is a very sincere person.

“Her loyalty to the school is impeccable,” Young said. “It has never waned, and that’s so necessary to our success as a school.”

Though she said goodbye to Trinity, Iles said she will take the traditions of Natchez and her alma mater with her as she transitions into college.