Like every school’s Class of 2024, the graduating seniors of Vicksburg High School (VHS) began their high school careers in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It wasn’t the easiest way to start high school, VHS Valedictorian Mekhyia Smith said as 172 members of her class ended their journey to graduation Thursday night at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

“What class do you know comes straight out of quarantine and tests so well that Vicksburg High School became a B school? Our pride in each other runs just as deep as our pride for Vicksburg,” Smith said.

Smith also reflected on her time with the Class of 2024, saying they welcomed her with open arms when she came to VHS.

“I was here for a good time, not for a long time,” Smith said. “Since my first day of school, Vicksburg has welcomed me as family.”

“I want to say to our class, we did it,” VHS Salutatorian M’Kyla Stewart said Thursday night.

Stewart added that while her class spent four years dreaming of graduation and the many things that come after high school, it is important to stop and appreciate the moment.

“We should learn the true value of living in the moment,” she said. “Growing up, there were many things we couldn’t wait for. But now, all of those memories are simply just memories. So I say we live in the moment now, before the moment fades into a memory.”

VHS Student Body President Kelvin Richardson said the Class of 2024 has a lot to be proud of as the enter life after high school.

“I challenge you to always hold your head up, stick your chest out, and put your best foot forward in anything you do,” Richardson said. “Let’s not forget who we are. We are Vicksburg High School Gators, so we don’t settle for average, but always rise for excellence.”

The VHS Class of 2024’s 172 graduating seniors displayed that excellence Thursday night in the form of 41 members graduating in the National Technical Honor Society; 49 as members of the National Honor Society; one student as a member of the Mississippi Scholars Tech Master & Mississippi Scholar; 48 students as Honors Graduates (3.00-3.49 GPAs); 46 as Highest Honor Graduates (3.50-3.99 GPAs); and 17 as Distinguished Scholars (4.0+ GPAs).