By JESSA PEASE / Special to the Reporter

ALABASTER – What started as a class of 10 kindergarteners at Kingwood Christian School ended as a class of 33 seniors walking across Kingwood Church’s stage to accept their high school diplomas May 21.

While some only called Kingwood home for a year or two, the group’s salutatorians and valedictorians described the graduates as a family.

“I am truly proud to have graduated with this amazing group of people who I will forever know as my family,” said valedictorian Tabitha Dailey. “I can’t wait to see all of us soar into life with all the encouragement and strength we have built growing up together.”

In her speech, Dailey acknowledged the accomplishments of her peers, stating that “this group of individuals will bring change.”

Salutatorians Abbey-Paige Gray and Troy McCay and valedictorian Sydney Bayer each touched on the big changes that lay before the class of 2015 as they take on the next stage of their lives.

“As we go into the next chapter, we often feel like we have to have everything figured out, especially me,” Gray said. “Class of 2015, big things are about to happen for us. I’m so glad I’ve gotten to spend all four years of high school with you guys.”

Fully clad in blue caps and gowns, the students rhymed and recounted how each graduate joined Kingwood to create the 2015 class. In recognition and in thanks, each of the students also presented a rose to their family.

Other speakers consisted of Rev. Benny R. Cunningham and Rev. Jay West. In his message to the graduates, West told the seniors what they learned, or didn’t learn, was yet to be tested.

“Whether you made good grades or bad grades, it’s over,” he said. “Whether you gave your best or you didn’t give your best, it’s now over. Regardless of what you did or what you did not do, this chapter of your life is now closed. This is the culmination of the years of learning, but you haven’t taken the test yet. The real test always comes after the season of learning. Life is the real test.”