It was standing room only in the sanctuary of Southside Baptist Church Friday night as friends and family turned out to see the 29 seniors at Fort Dale Academy receive their diplomas. The class of 2010 celebrated a milestone at FDA: its 40th anniversary.

Salutatorian Isabella Wesley remarked on the strong bonds developed from her first days as a preschooler 14 years ago at the school. She challenged her classmates to make their mark on the world as strong individuals.

Lauren Poole, valedictorian for the senior class, said that while she had been at the school only a few short years, “I quickly discovered the feeling of family when I came here.”

Headmaster David Brantley and faculty members Marcia Davis and Nonie Taylor handed out the accolades won by the seniors, with Brantley proudly announcing the class of 2010 had earned more than $400,000 in scholarship monies.