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Seventeen rubber duckies with cardinal red caps, gold torsos and the names of each graduate were bathed in the setting sun after Escambia Academy’s commencement exercises at Bachelor Field tonight.

The graduation exercise for the Cougars’ class of 2024 was held in front of a packed home-side bleachers crowd of family and friends.

Commencement Speaker Robert R. Davis, one of the first board members at EA, and Korean War veteran, thanked all in attendance for their efforts to help the class succeed.

“This moment will be forever in your memory,” Davis said, looking at the seniors. “Your teachers were your advocates. You’ll find out soon that all of this falls on you now.

“Life will broaden, and it will introduce you to a challenging world,” he said.

Salutatorian Timmy Doerr said the class’s journey has been full of countless memories, and lessons to build upon.

Doerr spoke about the random quizzes EA Teacher Bobbi Sasser would give, and that sometimes, if one crosses their fingers, you hope you’re right.

“We learned to navigate around curve balls, and these lessons required us to think on our feet,” he said. “Beyond the classroom, life is the ultimate pop quiz.”

Doerr expressed his thanks to the teachers, staff and administration of EA for their efforts.

Valedictorian Patrick Byrd recalled a memory he cherished with his classmates.

It was the night before the start of their senior year, and they were gathered for a cookout at the school.

Byrd said he noticed a shooting star on that same night, and talked about the class’s accomplishments.

He said teachers give so much to the development of their students.

“A good teacher gives something for their students to carry for the rest of their lives,” he said.

Headmaster Susie Kirk said after the ceremony that the rubber duckies were a pleasant surprise from the class.