TIFTON — By the evening of May 11, faculty of Tiftarea Academy along with new graduates and their families filled the lawns surrounding First Baptist Church.

Biology teacher Felise Harris watched them gather from the steps outside. Graduates in caps and gowns posed for photos, collected bouquets and hugged their families.

“This was the most touching group to see graduate,” said Harris.

She said there were several personalities that would be missed. Harris reflected on their time at the school and felt confident that each graduate was prepared for what was next.

Neel Patel corroborated when in his salutatorian address, he told the packed church that the graduates had amassed $1,750,000 in scholarships.

Many of the teachers have watched the students from the beginning of their academic career, starting from kindergarten. Fourth grade math teacher and Tiftarea Academy alumnus Kari Collins said it is “an honor to see them through this process.”

The Thursday before graduation the students walked the halls of the academy in cap and gown to see their teachers and inspire younger students. By Friday, the 43 graduates donned their gowns for the final time.

The ceremony opened with Alyssa Brown singing “Surely Thy Presence” and continued to share the talents of the graduates. The salutatorian address by Patel and the valedictorian address by Natalie Yaeger both expressed gratitude to parents and teachers. Patel’s speech shared several inside jokes shared among the students. Yaeger took her time at the mic to encourage her peers and share pride in their alma mater.

“The ceremony was so prestigious and heartwarming,” said Shaunteria Taylor. “It was more a bittersweet feeling to realize that my wonderful years at TA had come to an end. I’m truly thankful for everything that TA did for me.”

To express their gratitude to the school, Grace Hall and Missy McKay presented the senior gift, which was custom padded folding chairs to be utilized at school events.

The ceremony included two photo slide presentations, one featuring photos from the past year of students at various sporting and academic events. The other was a special tribute to parents of the graduates.

Anna Beth Buckner, an honor graduate, thought the ceremony was great despite having mixed emotions about graduating.

“I’m so excited to be an alumna now, and I can’t wait to see what my future holds as I start my new journey as a college student,” said Buckner.

Tiftarea Academy Honor Graduates included: Ross Garrett Belflower, Bret Dixon Bernard, Alyssa Kay Brown, Anna Beth Buckner, Bralie Elizabeth Dent, Lendley Ann Gibbs, Andrew William Greene, John Grant Hall, Kerstin Grace Hall, Logan Eve Hill, Joshua Bradley Jones, Cameron Marton Kozma, Marlee Brianna Marlowe, Emily Rose Mauldin, Cali Michelle McDuffie, Melissa Marlene McKay, Amy Ranee McKinney, Riley Seth Mims, Ellie Caroline O’Quinn, Carolyn Grace Padgett, Madeline Claire Pate, Neel Bhavik Patel, Kacey Bailey Roberson, Lindsey Jane Ross, Kendall Nicole Rowe, Mia Danielle Savelli, Reece Wilson Speight, Clinton Alexander Talton, Zachary Ivan Waller and Natalie Autumn Yaeger.