VALDOSTA — Valdosta High School christened the gymnasium at its new location Friday night with a commencement for the Class of 2018.

The city school graduated 433 students with 123 students being honor graduates, said Jennifer Steedley, director of public relations.

Steven Kai Chen was the valedictorian while Isabel Castillo Campa secured salutatorian. Campa spoke first opening with a quote from Joyce Meyer.

“We don’t grow when things are easy; we grow when we face challenges,” she said.

She thanked teachers and parents before reminiscing on her days as a VHS Wildcat.

“The constant stress to perform well in school takes a toll on us, and all of the tests and exams made graduation seem like a far-off destination,” she said.

Campa highlighted challenges she and her peers faced, including performing well academically, completing community service and meeting deadlines.

“We take with us all the memories and experiences we have made over the years, both the good and the bad,” she said. “…Our future begins now; it begins today.”

During his speech, Chen compared being in high school to driving down a “long winding highway.”

“When we first got onto the highway, way back in August 2014, none of us knew how to drive,” he said, “and based on what goes on in the parking lot after school, some of us still don’t.”

He recalled the nervousness and excitement he and his classmates felt upon entering VHS during their freshman year. He said a sense of familiarity overcame them as time passed.

“Time flew by as we entered junior year, and we actually had to start thinking about where our futures lie beyond the walls of Valdosta High School,” Chen said.

He moved forward to thank faculty and staff and concluded by congratulating the graduates.

“We are the last class to graduate from the current Valdosta High School,” he said. “We mark the end of an outstanding era of the old building, although I wouldn’t have minded going to the cool new building.”

Following the commencement’s welcome, a moment of remembrance was held for Colton Shaw, a teen who died during his freshman year at VHS.

Shaw was on the junior varsity baseball team and was killed after being hit in the head with a baseball while in the dugout during a 2015 game.

During the tribute, a moment of silence was held and Shaw’s teammates joined their bats together.

He would have been a member of the varsity baseball team and would have graduated with the Class of 2018.

Amanda Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.