VIDALIA — Vidalia High School’s assistant principal Jessica Carter approached the podium.

Once she was finally settled in front of the microphone, she looked to the 87 students to her right. Carter asked one simple question.

“Are y’all ready?” Carter said.

The response to Carter’s question was met with cheers as Vidalia High School held the Class of 2018’s graduation ceremony at the Vidalia Football Stadium Friday night.

“This special night is something every student, teacher and parent should be proud of,” salutatorian Desiree Perkins said.

While “being proud” is certainly the overall theme for any graduation, Perkins and Vidalia’s valedictorian Thomas Mason also drove home the points of thanking everyone who helped the Class of 2018 get to where they are today and encouraged the class never to give up when adversity hits.

Perkins thanked her mother first and then her father. After thanking her parents, she told her classmates to thank each other as well.

“Give thanks to one another,” Perkins said. “Thank you to my classmates for pushing me to be my best.”

After Perkins’ speech, it was time to recognize the 15 students who earned the Concordia Parish Diploma Awards. The students who received the honor had to meet a variety of criteria such as earn at least a 2.5 in every class, have an ACT score of 22 or higher and pass at least one Advanced Placement course.

Then it was time for Mason to give his speech.

Mason spoke of the story of what Walt Disney went through to make it big — how he had to overcome adversity. Then Mason went on to talk about the trials of other famous people such as authors Dr. Seuss and J.K. Rowling and actor Harrison Ford and what they had to go through to achieve success.

“Be like the greats,” Mason said.

After the 87th student walked the stage to earn a diploma, every student stood up, moved their tassels to the left and threw their caps in the air in celebration.

They finally graduated.

“This night will live in our hearts forever,” Mason said. “Thank you (all) for helping us.”