VIDALIA — Two Vidalia High School students received more than a diploma Friday night — they were accepted into an elite membership of service and honor to their country.

While their classmates and fellow graduates will just be beginning college or starting a new job, Caleb McJimsey and Shawn Parker will report to Parris Island for U.S. Marine Corps boot camp.

The students were among the 104 honored Friday at the school’s commencement ceremony.

Sgt. Richard Snelling introduced the two at the beginning of the ceremony and presented them with a certificate of enlistment.

“It’s always an honor to come out and recognize the students who have chosen to take that step and enlist in the military,” Snelling said. “You don’t see that a lot in today’s youth, so it’s a real honor for these students to decide to serve their country.”

McJimsey said that while he doesn’t come from a military background, the choice to enlist was something he couldn’t dodge.

“It’s been in the back of my mind for a while, and about six months ago I decided it was time to enlist,” McJimsey said. “I decided to enlist for many different reasons, but mainly for the opportunities it’s going to offer me down the road and also for the opportunity to serve my country.”

Parker, who will report to basic training on Sept. 9, said enlisting with the Marines was something he decided nearly a year ago.

“It just kept calling me,” Parker said. “I chose the Marines because it’s the hardest branch of the military.

“It’s a relief to be done with school.”

The two newest members of the military weren’t the only ones relieved and emotional to be departing from Vidalia High School.

Valedictorian Laura Ann Perilloux reminded her fellow graduates not to bask in the graduation limelight for long.

“While it was a good ride, we’ve gotten all we can out of our high school career,” Perilloux said. “This is a commencement, and now the bell is ringing to begin the next part of our lives.

“We are now in charge of our lives.”