As the school year draws to a close, many area students prepare to celebrate. Whether it is looking forward to summer vacation or gearing up to take the next leap in life after graduation, this time brings plenty of good news.

* Alcorn State University kicked off graduation season Saturday as many realized their dream of attaining a college degree. Students in the Spring Class of 2018 heard inspiring words about persistence and perseverance from keynote speaker Christy Pickering, a trustee of the state’s Institutions of Higher Learning. The sage advice will carry these students through the remainder of their lives, and we wish this moment to be just one of many milestone achievements for them.

* As local high school students prepare to graduate, Concordia Parish law enforcement made sure to impart words of wisdom for those who will enter the next stage of their life. CPSO deputies gave presentations to seniors about how to stay safe in a time that will be exciting, yet also bear a lot of responsibility. Though those lessons might not be the first thing on soon-to-be college freshmen’s minds, those are important lessons young adults could stand to learn heading into their newfound independence.

* The Natchez Festival of Music kicked off with a show at the Natchez Performing Arts Center to set the tone for this year’s festival with a performance from nine-time Country Music Awards Musician of the Year Mac McAnally. McAnally, a Mississippi native, said he had not played in Natchez in more than 30 years. The renowned artist not only got this year’s festival off to a great start, but he also is benefitting music in the state by donating half of all the proceeds from his album, “Southbound,” to the University of Southern Mississippi’s music program.

With plenty more graduations to come this month, we hope students remember always to celebrate the good that happens in their community and to try and bring that goodness with them wherever they may go.