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A Selma native and Florida judge will be the guest speaker at Tipton-Durant Middle School’s graduation ceremony on Friday.

Duval County Judge Rhonda Peoples-Waters, the first Black woman judge in Florida, will speak at the 10:30 a.m. drive-through ceremony.

Before becoming judge, Peoples-Waters practiced law over 20 years in the areas of criminal, family, personal injury, civil and probate law. Peoples-Waters has operated her own private practice in Jacksonville, Florida since 2007.

Tipton-Durant Middle School Principal Dr. Victoria Calhoun said she’s honored to have Peoples-Waters as the guest speaker. Peoples-Waters graduated from Selma High School in 1992.

“It is wonderful to have individuals who are products of our community return home to inspire our children to excel beyond their biggest dreams,” Calhoun said. “Judge Waters exemplifies what it means to be resilient and to persevere.”

Calhoun also thanked Wanda Tyler, the graduating class sponsor, for overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Coach Tyler and her team have worked hard to ensure that our children get everything they deserve out of this day,” Calhoun said. “It is all about the children being rewarded for their hard work.”