By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The Kingwood Christian School class of 2019 received the red-carpet treatment on the afternoon of May 15, as they donned their caps and gowns and paraded through the school to thunderous applause from their fellow students, parents and teachers.

KCS held its annual parade of graduates to honor this year’s senior class, followed by the school’s Awards Day ceremony to celebrate the scholarships and achievements the seniors have earned during their final year at Kingwood.

“It’s a neat tradition in the fact that this is the building that many of these seniors started in. It’s not only them finishing their high school career, it’s happening in the same place that they’ve been all 12 years – 13 if they went through kindergarten here – so that makes it extra special,” said KCS Headmaster Ruth Gray. “Today is a chance for us to celebrate the culmination of all their years here.

“We are so very honored to have had the chance to play a role in the lives of these students, and watch them as God takes them out into our community and into our world to do great things for him,” Gray added.

As the seniors marched from the campus’ high school building into the elementary school building, the halls and walkways were lined with supporters celebrating the day with them eight days before they receive their diplomas.

During the Awards Day program following the parade, representatives from UAB, the University of Alabama, Lawson State Community College and Huntingdon College presented students with scholarships, and KCS leaders presented students with their graduation honor cords.

The school also honored students who earned AISA sports and academic accolades, inducted students into the Mr. and Miss KCS Hall of Fame and honored the class of 2019’s valedictorians and salutatorians.

Kingwood’s graduation ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 23, at 7 p.m. at Kingwood Church.