NATCHEZ — For the 32 graduates of Monterey High School, Saturday was a sad and joyous occasion — finally obtaining their diplomas and stepping into adulthood.

“Today is no small feat,” said salutatorian Ethan Fancher. “Today we say goodbye to our high school careers, and we are embarking on a journey called life.”

Fancher said the class of 2015 would leave its alma mater not only with academic knowledge, but the life lessons acquired along the way.

“Some of us will move on to college to further our education, while others will go straight to work,” Fancher said.

But Fancher told his fellow graduates that nothing would come easy.

“Some will find success, others may not,” Fancher said. “Everyone has the opportunity to succeed, but failures will be uncovered along the way. The way that you cope with these failures will play a pivotal role.”

Fancher has his eyes set on attending Louisiana State University to study business.

He hopes to open his own business once he graduates from college.

Like Fancher, valedictorian Payton Grimmett looks to continue her education in the fall.

Grimmett will attend the University of Southern Mississippi, where she will major in biochemistry.

“I’ve been ready for college since the ninth grade,” Grimmett said with excitement. “I feel like I’m going to miss high school, but I’m ready for the next step.”

Grimmett took to the stage following Fancher to give her heart felt commencement address.

As Grimmett prepared for her speech prior to graduation, she said she searched online for the best valedictorian speech, which read “It’s great to plan for the future, just don’t live there, because really nothing happens in the future. Whatever happens, happens now. So live your life where the action is.”

Grimmett said the quote represented her class.

“It is definitely a good idea to plan for your future, but it’s never a good thing to only focus on the future and not live in the present,” Grimmett said.  “I can stand here today and tell you my classmates and I have lived in the present.”

A total of 11 students graduated with the Concordia Parish diploma, which requires students to have at least a 2.5 grade point average, a 22 on the ACT and have taken one advanced placement course.

Graduating senior Jadah Scroggins was among the graduating class who received a Concordia Parish diploma. She plans on attending Louisiana Tech University to study biology with a concentration in pre-medical studies.

“I’m pretty excited,” Scroggins said. “I’m going to miss seeing my classmates because I’m the only one here going to Louisiana Tech.”