1 of 5

Adams County Christian School Valedictorian Maggie Gray had the words “It is well with my soul” written on her graduation cap a refrence to the hymn quoted in her speech during graduation ceremonies for Adams County Christian School Saturday at First Baptist Church Natchez. (Scott Hawkins, The Natchez Democrat)

Adams County Christian School seniors Jack Whitehead, John Parks, Maggie Gray and Jonathan Ratcliff prepare for Saturday’s Adams County Christian School graduation ceremony. (Scott Hawkins, The Natchez Democrat)

District 37 State Sen. Melanie Sojourner, R-Natchez, who also is an Adams County Chrisitian School graduate, speaks during Saturday’s ACCS graduation ceremony at First Baptist Church, Natchez. (Scott Hawkins, The Natchez Democrat)

Geri Brumfield receives her diploma from Adams County Christian School Principal Rich Fife as ACCS Headmaster David King annouces her name during Saturday’s ACCS graudation ceremony at First Bapitst Church Natchez. (Scott Hawkins, The Natchez Democrat)

Mark Stockstill takes a picture of his son Wes Stockstill with friends after Wes received his diploma in Saturday’s Adams County Christian School’s graduation ceremony. (Scott Hawkins, The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — Forty-two Adams County Christian School seniors graduated during two ceremonies held Saturday afternoon at First Baptist Church of Natchez.

The first group of 21 students graduated during a 4 p.m. Saturday ceremony that featured a welcome and a prayer and the second group of 21 students graduated in a 5:15 p.m. Saturday ceremony that featured a speech from District 37 State Sen. Melanie Sojourner, R-Natchez, who also is an ACCS graduate.

The graduation ceremonies were split up to allow room for social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A crowd of approximately 100 people sat spaced out in pews marked off to observe social distancing guidelines in the church sanctuary that was illuminated by the afternoon sun shining through large stained-glass windows that line both side walls of the spacious sanctuary.

Photographs of ACCS seniors during current day followed by pictures of them as babies flashed on large video monitors flanking both sides of the pulpit before the seniors marched down the aisles and filed into the choir section behind the pulpit as a piano player played “Pomp and Circumstance.”

Sojourner congratulated the students for arriving at this point in their lives and challenged them to remain true to themselves and never to forget where they came from.

“These are the times when character is built,” Sojourner said

Salutatorian KaLeigh Davidson gave a speech reminiscing about the lessons learned during the tough senior year of the COVID-19 pandemic and challenged classmates to carry the lessons with them.

Valedictorian Maggie Gray addressed the group and told them that despite the hardships of the past year, “It is well with my soul,” quoting a familiar hymn.

Then the students each received their diplomas before departing to make their way into the world.

More Z-NEWSLETTER -- NEWS

2 arrested in connection with double murder

Vidalia Mayor opposes court order to restructure Concordia Parish Schools

Family loses two dogs and home in Thursday morning fire

Vidalia sex offender commits suicide after fleeing from deputies