It was a time of excitement and reflection Friday night at the Demopolis High School auditorium as family and friends of five students gathered to witness their graduation from high school, and their addition to the DHS class of 2008.

“Tonight is a bit of a paradox, “ DHS Principal Dr. Isaac Espy told the graduates and their admirers. “It’s a night of celebration for all of you, but also a time of reflection on the past 13 years of your life.”

After remarks from Dr. L. Wayne Vickers, Demopolis City Schools superintendent, and music from Margie Walker, the five students walked across the stage at DHS for the last time in their high school career.

The additions to the DHS Class of 2008 include Walter Dewayne Evans, Ervin Edward Griffin III, Bianca Latiana Jones, Rashida Janay Jones, and James Edward Thomas IV.

These students were unable to march in May’s commencement exercise, some because they lacked a credit or two and for others, such as Bianca Jones, it was due to unforeseen circumstances.

Jones moved to Demopolis for her senior year from Michigan and unfortunately, she lost some credits toward a diploma in the move. After attending summer school at DHS, she earned all her credits necessary to graduate.

“It’s good that Dr. Espy and the high school are willing to do this for students like myself, who, due to certain circumstances, couldn’t walk in May. It gave us a chance to walk like everybody else,” Jones said.

Now that she’s received her diploma, Jones plans to attend Concordia College in Selma and eventually major in psychology.

“You know, these students’ graduation would consist of a trip to the mailbox were we not able to sponsor tonight as a school. I think it’s great for our faculty, staff and school board to be willing to put together a night like tonight. It’s not even work for us,” said Espy in an interview with The Times following the program.

“These students could have just said forget it and given up when faced with a bit of adversity, but they didn’t — and to me, that makes them deserving of an opportunity to walk across that stage.”