NATCHEZ — Mario Williams had a memorable first at Copiah-Lincoln Community College’s graduation in Natchez Friday evening.

“I stand before you tonight as the first sibling out of my family to graduate from college,” said Williams, who delivered the commencement address. “So I encourage everyone to never stop believing in yourself.

“Class of 2014, go out and change the world. Be the difference. Be the one that moves forward to the next chapter.”

Williams was one of 149 students to walk across the stage at the Natchez Convention Center Friday during the college’s 42nd commencement ceremony.

Williams credited his faith, family and Co-Lin for his success. He said God opened his eyes and gave him wisdom and understanding to prepare him to do great things.

Williams thanked his mother and brother, whose support gave him the courage to walk through Co-Lin’s doors.

“If someone would have told me four years ago I would be giving you this speech, I would not have believed them,” Williams said.

It was not an easy journey for Williams, and he admitted that he sometimes had a difficult time believing in himself.

“Although the odds were stacked against me, my faith, countless hours of preparations and the support from my friends, family and Co-Lin family helped me … achieve this great accomplishment,” he said.

Vice President of the Natchez campus Teresa Busby told the graduates they are part of the Co-Lin family and always will be.

“Those aren’t just words we say,” she said. “We mean it. You are a part of this family.”

Busby said graduation is always an exciting time for everyone at Co-Lin.

“The students we have grown to know and respect are moving on to the next phase of their lives and we are happy that we played a role in getting them to that phase,” Busby said. “I am very proud of what this group of students has accomplished — they’ve made a difference to each other, to our college and in our community. It is a great night.”

Kevin Campbell, a Natchez native and recent Hall of Fame inductee, welcomed students, families, officials and guests before the ceremony with heartfelt words.

“Without your love and encouragement, many of us, myself included, would not have made this far,” Campbell said. “It is because of you that we will leave here tonight fully prepared for the next chapter in our lives.”

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world, Williams told his fellow graduates, in the words of Nelson Mandela.

“Always remember that we are the future, and I am proud to look in the crowd and say that the future looks bright,” Williams said. “Go out and change the world, be the difference, the change, as you move forward to the next chapter.”