Abbie Hudgins and Kylie Berry will lead the Mathews High School Class of 2021 on Saturday, as 57 seniors are set to graduate, starting at 10 a.m. in the school’s Harry M. Ward Auditorium.

Valedictorian Abigail Dawn Hudgins, the daughter of Robert and Heather Hudgins of Mathews, achieved the top Grade Point Average of 4.62. She plans to attend the University of Virginia in the fall.

Salutatorian Kylie Cherie Berry, the daughter of Frank and Julianna Berry of Cobbs Creek, had a GPA of 4.57. She will be attending the Sentara College of Health Sciences.

After the playing of “Pomp and Circumstance” and the National Anthem, MHS principal Dr. Drew Greve and senior class president Brittany Ottarson will welcome graduates and guests. Superintendent Nancy Welch will recognize the special guests in attendance.

Berry will give her salutatorian address, followed by the awarding of the General Excellence Award. Following that, Hudgins will deliver the valedictorian address. Katelyn Dodge, the MHS Director of Counseling, will present scholarships to the members of the graduating class.

Greve and senior class sponsor Steve Casper will present the diplomas; school board chairman John Priest will confer the diplomas and the members of the graduating class will march into the school’s gymnasium, where those who do not have tickets for the event will be able to watch the ceremony on closed-circuit TV.

A white rose placed among the graduate seats is being placed there in remembrance of Jordan Stewart. In 2015 at the age of 13, Stewart died in a tragic accident.

The 57 students comprising the Class of 2021 represents the lowest number in recent years. Last year, 93 students received diplomas.

“It is certainly much lower than the normal, but to put this in a context: Mathews County Public Schools has been experiencing a continued reduction in students since the 2007-2008 school term,” said Superintendent Nancy Welsh.

“The ‘COVID Experience’ has only accelerated the reduction.

“This trend is one of the reasons the school consolidation concept was considered during the recent budget process,” she added. “As we consider the projected individual student cohort/grade levels, most are between 65-75 students each (K-12). Next year’s senior class is projected to be about 60-65 students.”