Editor’s Note: Today, The Daily Leader continues publication of area high school valedictorian and salutatorian graduation speeches. The following address is from Loyd Star Attendance Center Valedictorian Natalie Brooke Smith.

Good evening family, friends, faculty, and other honored guests from the class of 2013. It is an honor to stand before you tonight as Valedictorian of our senior class.

I must say, 13 years ago it never crossed my mind that I would be standing here in this position. It did not really register that I was even in the running for this spot until 10th grade. I knew then that I would settle for absolutely nothing less than the top.

Through many hours of studying, lots of hard work, praying my way through tests, and even crying a little bit, I finally achieved the most special honor of my life.

First off, I would like to thank a few people that got me here today. I owe all of my thanks to my Heavenly Father. If it were not for him, I would definitely not be standing here today. I also would not have been able to write this speech. He definitely helped me with that, too.

He gave me strength and the knowledge to remember everything that I studied during school. He also calmed me before major tests, and helped me get through them, as well. How could I ever thank Him enough?

Next, I would like thank my amazing parents. Although they never had to make me study, they were always my biggest supporters. They gave me the courage to be able to conquer anything that was thrown at me. Whether it was reciting the prologue to Romeo and Juliet, they always had faith in me and told me I could do it. I could not have made it here without them.

I would also like to thank all of my wonderful teachers that I have had throughout my life. I’ve had the privilege to have been taught by some of the greatest teachers in the world.

There is one teacher that I will especially remember. I learned more in her class than I thought was possible. She always would look at our overflowing binders with absolutely no clean sheets of paper and say, “Look at how much y’all have learned.”

She must have been so proud of all of our hard work. She also taught me that the square root of one is one. (Only my trig class will understand). She even taught me a few life lessons, as well. The clock in her classroom had a saying on it that said, “Time is passing. Are you?” I will remember that forever.

This special woman saw me cry my eyes out and tear up a time or two. I would like to personally thank you, Mrs. Jan Delaughter, for just being you.

There’s a quote that I really like that says, “Teachers open the door, but we enter by ourselves.” Mrs. Jan definitely opened the door for me, and I’m sure she did for others as well.

Last, I would like to thank my amazing friends. This year was not the easiest for me to go through. I lost some friends that I was sure would be there forever, but only to gain better friends. I will forever be grateful for their unwavering loyalty to me.

It is hard to believe that this day is finally here. I would like to take a second to walk down memory lane. In kindergarten, our very first field trip together was to the zoo. We laughed and played and had the best time.

In first grade, we waddled across the stage to the “Penguin Polka.” In third grade, some of us were in Mrs. Riley’s “Groovy Gang.” In sixth grade, we all went crazy at our Wet ‘N Wild parties. In seventh grade, we were doing “Soulja Boy” at the homecoming dance.

In ninth grade, we were so cool ice cubes were jealous, or at least we thought so anyways. It is unreal to think that that was four years ago. High school passed by in the blink of an eye; especially, our senior year.

It seems like just yesterday we were arriving at Biloxi Beach after a long bus ride, or that we were dressed in red, white, and blue on “‘Merica” Day during homecoming week. Now, we are here together for the very last time as the class of 2013.

Our lives beyond high school start within a matter of minutes. Behind me, you are looking at future lawyers, doctors, businessmen, veterans, teachers, nurses and maybe even presidents of our beautiful country.

We are America’s future. Some of us will be leaving high school, only to spend many more years in college. Some of us, on the other hand, will go straight into the work force. Others will marry quickly and start a family of their own.

I will be furthering my education at the University of Southern Mississippi to become a Nurse Anesthetist. Whatever our future holds, may the odds be ever in our favor.

Last, I would like to close by telling the class of 2013 how much I love them. It has been a long journey for us, but for 13 years of my life they have been my family. I want to wish each and every individual behind me.

Good luck in the future. We have made it this far, now it is time to make a difference and be positive leaders and examples in the world.

Each one of you hold a special place in my heart, and I am truly grateful for all of the memories. Life all comes down to a few moments. This is one of them.

Congratulations class of 2013. We did it! We finally did it!