Last summer, Mitchi Maja moved to Aiken from Florida with her family before enrolling at Mead Hall for her senior year.
Was she nervous at first? Of course, she said during the school's commencement program - joined by classmates Aaron Gurley, James Hope Jr., Madison Paige Oswald and Holly Peterson.
After receiving her diploma, Maja said with a smile and not a sliver of anxiety about how she had over-reacted - afraid she didn't know anything about South Carolina, that no one would like her at Mead Hall. Maja expressed the warmth she felt throughout the campus. The other seniors, some dating back to four-year-old kindergarten, expressed their own gratitude for the school, its teachers and staff and for each other and the younger students.
Gurley and Maja shared valedictorian honors. Oswald received the Sandy Rogers Community Service award. Gurley and Petersen were selected as the American Legion winners before Kitty Gordon presented the Headmaster's award to Gurley. Petersen received the Palmetto Award. Junior Caroline Wilcott was selected for the Episcopal character award. Kevin Kisner, a professional golfer who is gaining attention and is an Aiken native, received a Young Alumni Award.
Sure, the graduating seniors had fun at Mead Hall with all the school parties, the sports opportunities and the friendships, said Oswald. Again, the teachers pushed them with love.
"They've been such a strong influence in our lives," said Petersen. "They taught us to have heart in everything we've done. It's the ending of an era for us, and I can't think about that ... I'll never forget the (merger) of Mead Hall and Aiken Prep and how they took us in."
Gordon noted that Aiken Prep will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2016. The combined schools have completed their third year together.
About nine students graduated the first year and seven the next year.
"Next year also will be a small year," she said," but then the numbers will start building again. We're projecting for our new freshman class to be more than 20. That has been a goal for us."
The guest speaker, The Rev. Tim McLendon, urged the graduates to avoid "Selfies" as indicators of a self-absorbed, narcissistic society.
During her senior comments, Maja drew laughter - McLendon included - when she gleefully encouraged her classmates to go ahead and take a Selfie - even two or three - as "a way to be yourself."
Rob Novit is the education reporter for the Aiken Standard.