Twenty Grace Christian Academy seniors earned their diplomas Friday night at The Kirbo Center in Bainbridge.

Highlight of the night came when valedictorian Jack McRae and salutatorian Ashley Lauren Stuart delivered their addresses.

“First of all, I want to thank my parents and siblings for their strong love and support,” valedictorian McRae said in opening his remarks. “My father Doctor Mallory McRae, my mother Mrs. Mardi McRae, my brother Sam and my sister Kate were always there to support and challenge me. They are my heroes.”

Salutatorian Stuart talked about the great respect and support she has gotten from her parents Vic and Carla Stuart, and all of her fellow students many that have been together since kindergarten.

“We have all known each other for a long time and have shared a lot of joyful experiences,” she said. “What a blessed experience this senior school year has been for all of us.”

Coach Charles Kelly, football defensive coordinator at Florida State University, gave the featured graduation address.

“First of all, let me say that I am the father of three daughters and my hope and prayer is that they will turn out just like you,” Kelly said in opening his remarks to the 20 Grace Christian Academy graduates.

Coach Kelly challenged the graduates to follow five specific character traits in developing their Christian life values.

“The first character trait I want to talk about is setting high positive Christian goals, like serving the Lord through strong words and deeds,” Kelly said. “Don’t settle for anything less.”

The second and third strong character trait that coach Kelly talked about was the ability to always look at the big picture and don’t allow others to steal their dreams. Fourth, you should always have a Christian passion for what you do, and fifth, you should not let anyone sidetrack your love for Christ.

Diplomas were announced and handed out by Head of School Joan Shiver and school board chairman Mark Harrell.

Receiving diplomas along with the valedictorian and salutatorian, who were both honor graduates, were honor graduate Anders Lowell Austinson, Lucas Larry Bell, Haley Suzanne Chandler, honor graduate Cafrey Elizabeth Crawford, honor graduate Lindsey Morgan Duke, honor graduate Mattie Grace Dunn, honor graduate Kelsey Grace Harrell, who gave the welcome, honor graduate Maggie Perra Harrell, honor graduate Hannah Elizabeth Holden, who gave the opening prayer, Blake Austin Holley, Ryan Patrick Holley, Michael Todd Mills, honor graduate Evelyn Grace Williams, honor graduate Annabelle Joy Smith, who presented class memories, honor graduate Victor Bradley Spooner, Hannah Marie Temples, Noah William Thomas, who gave the closing prayer, and honor graduate Samuel Dakota Vickers.