A graduation ceremony was held Thursday evening for 31 participants who completed the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s citizens’ academy program this year.

“I want to thank each of you for participating in this,” Commonwealth’s Attorney C. Phillips “Phil” Ferguson told the participants during Thursday’s ceremony. “It takes a lot of commitment and effort to come out two nights a week, an hour and a half each night. I hope you’re a lot better educated today than you were when you came into this presentation.”

The academy was held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Sept. 24 to Oct. 29 in the courthouse.

Participants heard about the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office’s administration and community outreach, victim and witness services, domestic violence, juvenile and domestic relations, violent crimes, and the office’s chief investigator. They also took a courthouse tour and learned about the functions of the other four constitutional offices — sheriff, clerk of the court, commissioner of the revenue and treasurer.

“They learned a lot about how government operates in the city of Suffolk, especially in the constitutional offices,” Ferguson said.

This was the fourth edition of the citizens’ academy Ferguson has held. Some participants this year were on their third time around.

Wayne Gardner was not one of those. It was his first time attending.

“I learned who they were and a bit more of what they do,” Gardner said of the constitutional officers. “I just appreciate their time and their effort.”

All of the personnel who spoke at the citizens’ academy, as well as the sheriff’s deputies who provided security for the courthouse during the evening program, were doing so on a volunteer basis.

C.J. Wiggins said he is excited to share what he learned with his neighbors in the South Suffolk/Pleasant Hill Civic League.

“I’m so grateful that I came,” he said. “Now I can share with our civic league.”

The graduation ceremony featured refreshments donated by Ricky’s and Roy’s, Farm Fresh and Subway.