The sun faded into an array of vibrant oranges and pinks Friday night as the Natchez-Adams Girls Softball League hosted its closing ceremonies to honor its members with a variety of awards for their efforts during the year.

The ceremony included the annual Riana Flynn Memorial Scholarship, given each year to a graduating senior from the league. This year’s recipient was Adam County Christian School’s Bailey Boyd.

“This is a big honor to be chosen as the one from all of the girls out here. It’s really important to me,” Boyd said.

Boyd grew up playing in the league and said she will most remember everyone’s high spirits.

“It was always a lot of fun playing out here, it doesn’t matter who wins or loses,” she said.

First-year president Bridget Wactor said the decision to choose Boyd for the scholarship was an easy one.

“That child is an overall athlete in any sport,” she said “She is a good-spirited kid, funny and just has natural-born talent. She is definitely deserving and a hard worker.”

Immediate past president Belinda Brashier also received a special award for her commitment to the league. She retired this past year after serving on the board for more than 30 years.

Brashier said she hopes the league will continue to develop young girls into well-rounded players.

“People get involved in a bunch of different things and sometimes forget why we are here,” she said. “It’s for the kids to come together and make new friends. I stayed out here because I loved doing it.”

Although this year brought a number of poor-weather days, Wactor said the year ended positively.

The leagued capped at 240 players this season.

“It was one of the rainiest seasons we’ve had since the first year or two,” she said. “We got the fields playable and ready. We finished it up, and we did good. I’m proud of all these girls out here.”