Trinity graduates final class ever
Published 11:25 am Thursday, May 24, 2018
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Trinity Episcopal School graduates throw their caps in the air Thursday, after their graduation ceremony at Trinity Episcopal Church. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Anfernee Malik Davieon Thomas, the last graduate ever to receive a high school diploma from Trinity Episcopal School, waits for his name to be called Thursday during the graduation ceremony at Trinity Episcopal Church. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Demond Fleming Jr. hops in his new car after graduating from Trinity Episcopal School Thursday in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Ja'mecca Angelic Queen stands by her new car after graduating from Trinity Episcopal School Thursday in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
(Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Friends and family greet the 2018 graduates of Trinity Episcopal School Thursday in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Amanda Dill begins to weep as she hugs Katie Borum after the Trinity Episcopal School graduation ceremony Thursday in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Anna Rodriguez, stands by Camille Taylor as she helps Katie Borum with her make up after the graduation ceremony Thursday in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Anna Rodriguez delivers a speech during the Trinity Episcopal School's last graduation ceremony Thursday in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Trinity Episcopal School graduates stand in the hall before walking out to receive their diploma Thursday in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Headmaster Christina Daugherty gives a speech about each graduate during the Trinity Episcopal School graduation ceremony Thursday in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Graduates listen during the ceremony Thursday at Trinity Episcopal School. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Graduates listen during the ceremony Thursday at Trinity Episcopal School. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Seth Blattner waits to receive his diploma during the graduation ceremony for Trinity Episcopal School Thursday in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Carly Gurule listens during the Trinity Episcopal School graduation ceremony Thursday in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Graduates listen during the ceremony Thursday at Trinity Episcopal School. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Jared Mark McGraw listens during the Trinity Episcopal School graduation ceremony Thursday in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Graduates listen during the ceremony Thursday at Trinity Episcopal School. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
Salutatorian Avneet Kaur give the welcome speech during the Trinity Episcopal School 2018 graduation ceremony Thursday in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)
NATCHEZ — In a flurry of hats and more than a few tears, Trinity Episcopal Day School graduated its final class Thursday evening.
Valedictorian Anna Rodriguez acknowledged the poignancy of the graduation.
Not only were the students graduating from their school, she said, they were losing their alma mater.
And yet, she said, Trinity had and will always have a profound effect on its students.
“Does it have to be over?” she said. “Let this not end with the closing of the doors.”
Trinity means too much to them, she said, to let the school’s legacy end.
“Don’t forget how to love and forgive,” she said. “He said, ‘Fear not for I am your God, and I am with you,’ and that’s what we will do.”
Before each of the 16 seniors crossed the stage in Trinity Episcopal Church, Headmaster Christina Daugherty read a rhyming poem about each of them.
Each line contained snippets of each student’s personality and of how much Daugherty believed in them.
“Thank you for allowing me to do what I love to do,” she said. “I truly would not change a second of it.”
After the service, when each student had received his or her diploma, they gathered on the front steps of Trinity Episcopal Church.
“It’s hard to see them go,” Daugherty said. “They were such a great group.”
The students laughed and cheered as they threw their hats into the air. When it was over, some wiped tears from their eyes and smiled.
“When I first came here, I thought I wouldn’t make any friends,” said Salutatorian Avneet Kaur. “I was right. I did not make friends, I found family. … I cannot tell the future, but I know Trinity will be a part of our lives forever.”