LaFAYETTE — Wednesday night was a time to say goodbye to several students and retirees in the Chambers County School District.

Although goodbyes were said for those retiring and graduating, it wasn’t without honoring those who gave their hard-earned time to the schools before moving on.

The top three students from LaFayette High School and Valley High School were honored with a plaque for their excellent academic achievements while in school and let the audience know about their future plans.

Me’Kevion Shealey was labeled as the top student at LaFayette by a mere matter of percentage points. His grade point average was 4.674419, while the student in second place was 4.674419. Finishing just behind Shealey was his friend and study partner Markvious Tolbert. Just behind those two was Nicholas Fell with a 4.490910 average.

All three of these students were friends in high school and will continue that friendship at Norfolk State in Norfolk, Virginia, as roommates. Also, the three students will all major in computer science.

Stephanie Doan at Valley finished third in his class will attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the fall to major in biomedical science and with a pre-med track. In the second slot is Madison Melton, who is going down Interstate 85 to Auburn University to study political science with a specialization in Constitutional Law.

The No. 1 student at Valley High was Ariton Bailey, or A.J. He said he’s going to Auburn to pursue a master’s degree in electrical engineering.

The school district also honored 18 retirees Wednesday, all of which had at least 10 years with the district. Some of the retires of note were Janet Still with 40 years and Glenda Stodghill with 30 as support staff members. They didn’t attend Wednesday’s meeting as they retired in the middle of the school year. Jerri Ison, reading specialist at Five Points Elementary School, was also honored after 30 years in the district.

The five finalists in the Amazing Shake competition hosted by the district were also honored Wednesday with a plaque and a shirt. The finalists were Si’Nora Grier, Ka’lyn Hargett, sixth graders at W.F. Burns Middle School; Eli Whorton and Maggie Jo Rennie, fifth graders at Fairfax Elementary; and Parker Williams, a fifth grader at Huguley Elementary.