With high school behind them and college on the horizon, Northview High School’s valedictorian Sarah Killam and salutatorian Emily Vickrey are looking back with pride, but focusing on the changes they will face in the future.

Killam, who finished with a final weighted GPA of 4.75, and Vickrey, who graduated with a 4.53 GPA, are headed in different directions, but both know that the challenges they face will come from being on their own.

Change is a frightening thought for Killam, but she said her faith will help her make it through tough times, she said.

“My life will definitely change drastically because I will be moving out from under the wings of my parents,” Killam said. “I’ll be entering a world where there are so many opportunities at my fingertips. It’s easy for me to let all of these opportunities to overwhelm me, but I’m very excited to see where God leads me in life, and I know that my family and friends will be there to support me along the way.”

For Vickrey, looking ahead is scary, but she sees that she has made progress in her life by completing high school.

Things will change, but that change will be fun, Vickrey said.

“Now that I’m a graduate, I have a sense of accomplishment and relief,” she said. “I’ts nice to know one chapter of my life is over. My life will change a lot, and I won’t be living with my parents anymore, so it will be a little scary to be on my own. I’m excited to see what God has in store for me though.”

Now that they have walked across the stage, Killam and Vickrey, both Northview softball players, will move onto college to advance through the next stage of life.

Killam will stay in the state of Florida to attend school, while Vickery will cross the state line to go to school in Mobile.

Even though she is undecided on a major, Killam has her mind set on working in the medical field, she said.

“I plan on attending the University of West Florida this fall and obtaining a degree in the medical field,” Killam said. “I’m currently undecided on what exactly that will be, but right now I’m thinking physical therapy, occupational therapy or nursing.”

Vickrey’s plan is to continue her athletic career in softball at the collegiate level.

She wants to try and walk on, while in college, she said.

“My plans are to attend the University of Mobile on an academic scholarship and play softball as a walk on,” Vickery said.