VIDALIA, La. — Friends, family and school officials crowded into Vidalia High School’s gym to cheer on 82 graduates who received their diplomas in a Friday night ceremony.

The event was held in the gym instead of on the school’s football field due to a high chance of rain, making for cramped and rather warm quarters — but that didn’t come close to dampening graduates’ spirits.

&uot;It’s … amazing,&uot;&160;Josh Byrnes said while waiting to march into the gym. &uot;I can’t believe graduation is here.

&uot;I’ll miss everyone, … but finally graduating still feels great,&uot;&160;added Byrnes, who plans to major in computer science at Nichols State and hopes to start his own computer programming company someday.

No matter where life will take them, Valedictorian Joshua Randall encouraged graduates to, above all, be themselves.

That is especially important because society encourages people to be followers, he added.

&uot;Follow your heart wherever it may lead you in life,&uot;&160;Randall said following a speech by Salutatorian Jeffery Puckett. &uot;And above all, be yourself.&uot;

In an earlier speech, fellow graduate Jeremy Rowzee said it seemed like just yesterday when he and his fellow students first set foot in school.

&uot;The Class of 2000 has become a very close family,&uot;&160;Rowzee said before going on to thank all those, such as family members and educators, who made it possible for the graduates to reach their goals.

Principal Rick Brown said he believes the Class of 2000 is destined for great things.

&uot;This class … has achieved on many levels,&uot;&160;Brown said. &uot;I&160;know this class can succeed because you have succeeded.&uot;

In addition, more than 20 academic, athletic and leadership scholarships were awarded to graduates during the ceremony.