Twenty-two seniors walked into City Auditorium Saturday afternoon with their blue caps and gowns on and their future waiting ahead of them.

The 2016 class of Porter’s Chapel Academy graduated in a room filled with family and friends in attendance to support a graduating class that garnered a total of $164,664 in scholarships and 2,118 service hours.

Valedictorian DiMaya Adale Randle receive the most scholarships with a $3,000 Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant, $6,000 from Mississippi State University, $65,232 from Tugaloo College and $65,232 from Alcorn State University.

“To God be the glory,” Randle said.

She spoke of her classmates’ future as a road map winding through life. Roadblocks and obstacles have been encountered along the way, she said, but the class used their GPS devices and moved forward.

“Together we have taken a journey,” Randle said, adding this is not the end but the beginning. She wanted her classmates to not lose themselves or their purpose and to never quit whatever path their journey takes them down.

Salutatorian Lyndsey Kate Morgan participated in 357 service hours, the most in the class by 113 hours.

In her speech, she said the class had pride in having the opportunity to attend a Christian school, and her advice was to always take time to stop and listen and not wait until hitting a wall to ask God for help.

“God will always be there,” Morgan said.

She hoped her fellow graduates would set their goals high and reach them.

Honor graduates were Raylee Barwick, Chip Fields, Allison Nunnelee, Morgan and Randle for maintaining at least a 3.5 grade point average throughout their high school career.

Barwick was named most outstanding senior.

Members of the class selected to the PCA Hall of Fame were Barwick, Nunnelee, Anna McKenzie Masterson, Trey Wright and Justin Smithey for their contributions in academics, activities and community service.

Smithey’s family spoke of how happy they were for him. His great, great aunt Ann Brumley came from Oak Grove, La. with a number of other relatives to watch him graduate.

“This is the beginning of a new era,” his aunt Tina Rowland said. “We’re proud of him. These kids have worked hard.”

Graduate Finley Rollison’s grandmother Margie Bufkin said Rollison came a long way from being a premature baby to today, and she has dealt with a lot in the past year with her mother Patricia Rollison having five strokes in August.

“She has overcome a lot of adversity,” Bufkin said.

“I’m just proud of her,” Rollison’s mom said.

David Barfield, 1975 PCA graduate, gave the graduation address. Barfield, who is an attorney, gave a speech about getting all A’s: assurance, advice, acknowledgement of achievements and applause.

He assured the students they could stack up against anybody else because their families and teachers have given them the tools to flourish.

“I assures you there is no reason to be unsure about whether or not you have what it takes to compete and succeed,” Barfield said. “You’re prepared as well as anybody else from anywhere else.”

His advice was summed up succinctly with the same piece of advice he was given on his graduation day and something he said would serve them well for the rest of their lives: self-discipline.

He encouraged the graduates and their families to take a moment and relish in their accomplishments and applaud their work, dedication and perseverance.

“More importantly applaud your future because it is a bright one,” Barfield said.

Kaitlin Havens and Masterson sang “For Good,” by Schwartz from the musical “Wicked.” Headmaster Pam Wilbanks closed the ceremony by encouraging the student to act like and be somebody.

“Don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t do it. Don’t know that you can’t fly, and I think you’ll soar like eagles,” Wilbanks said.