The John Essex High School Class of 2009 accepted their diplomas in the school’s annual graduation ceremony Thursday night.

The class numbered 19 students, all of whom qualified for diplomas.

Graduates receiving advanced diplomas were valedictorian Precious Joy Carter, salutatorian Zackary Jaymeke Fluker, Willie Daniels, Anquanetta Marie Gracie, Brittney Che’Lynne Gray, Amelia Alesha Hackworth and Sha’Kema Nicole Jones.

It was announced that Carter earned $48,000 in scholarship funds from Stillman College in Tuscaloosa.

There was a surprise announcement that Fluker received a four-year scholarship to Alabama A&M University.

Receiving $1,000 scholarship funds from the Theo Ratliff Foundation were Carter, Daniels and Hackworth, while Fluker and Gracie each earned $500 from the John Essex Ancestral Scholarship Fund.

Others receiving their diplomas as the John Essex Class of 2009 were Diondria Ke’Shawn Ash, Monica Re’Shell Benison, Stephanie Diana Benison, Justin Alexander Carter, Kenna Sanesha Fountain, Bruce Burnell Garner Jr., Patrick Antonio Griffin, LaShaunda Monique Norfleet, LaShandra Rena Prince, De’Nedra Annette Richardson, Tenisha Shanta Rowser and Karlos Dominik Russell.

Class officers were president Precious Joy Carter, vice president LaShandra Rena Prince, secretary LaShanda Monique Norfleet and treasurer Kenna Sanesha Fountain.