NATCHEZ — Teenaged boys dressed in crisp white shirts, black ties and pants and young women dressed in white tops with skirts or slacks sat in a jury box in circuit court Tuesday, waiting to receive their diplomas.

The seven young people have been trying to turn their lives around in the Adams County Drug Youth Court with help from Judge John Hudson and team.

Five students were also recognized for advancing to Phase II and III in the system.

In order to graduate or advance in the system, Hudson said the young people in the program must stay off drugs, do better in school and stay out of trouble.

A new phase is reached when participants achieve a 90-day period of good behavior, good grades and negative drug test results.

After receiving their diplomas in front a crowded courtroom of family, friends and youth court staff, some graduates volunteered to speak about their experience in the program.

Most comments included thanks to the counselors and staff at youth court and the participant’s families.

And many comments expressed a hope for a new life, which Hudson said was rarely present when the students first arrived in the program.

“I’m happy, and I’m going to do more with my life,” said one young man.

Many expressed pride and gratitude for completing the program.

“I got through it. I want to thank the drug court staff, my family, my counselor and Mr. Nations,” one girl said.

Hudson said he is also proud of the graduates because youth drug court is not an easy process for the young people.

In order to graduate, the teenagers had to beat possible drug additions in order to submit to random drug testing, deal with youth court staff checking up on their school work and getting reports from their teachers every day and stay out of trouble with law enforcement, Hudson said.

Hudson said sheriff’s deputy Kevin Nations also patrolled their houses to ensure they made curfew nightly.

The keynote speaker at the graduation, Sheriff Chuck Mayfield, addressed the graduates about life choices.

“(Youth court) has done their job and now it’s up to you,” Mayfield said. “What happens to you is up to you.”

Mayfield relayed a story about his desire to become a sheriff when he was a teenager.

He said he attended a law enforcement conference when he was 19, and when he told other policemen he was planning on becoming a sheriff, they laughed at him.

“If that little pipsqueak can get elected sheriff you can do whatever you want,” Mayfield said.

Hudson said as a judge, his duties of issuing sanctions and punishments for bad behavior are usually reactive.

However, the youth drug court program offers the court system a unique opportunity to be proactive.

Adams County Youth Drug Court was the first juvenile drug court in the state, starting in 2002.

Hudson said more than 40 teens are currently in the program.