Ocean Springs High School senior class graduates at the Coast Coliseum

Tonight, the Mississippi Coast Coliseum was filled with an ocean of blue as Ocean Springs High School held their commencement ceremony for the class of 2023.

With 432 senior graduates, the school celebrated an impressive 90 percent graduation rate, a testament to their dedication and hard work.

During the ceremony, we had the opportunity to speak with some of the graduating seniors about the advice they would give their younger selves. Valedictorian Ali Morris said, “I’d tell them to take the hard road because it took a lot of encouragement from my family to push me to the harder classes, and I didn’t think I could do it. To my middle school self, I’d say take the chance. I’m glad I did, and now I’m valedictorian, and it feels great.”

Graduate James Calder said, “Have a goal in mind and keep pushing forward, never give up.”

Graduate Jonathan Calloway said, “It was a hard fight and you did it.”

Graduation Orator Lillian Nguyen said, “To believe in myself and know that at the end of the road after high school, everything is going to pay off.”