Gov. Phil Bryant isn’t coming to Brookhaven Academy Friday just to give the commencement address. The state’s chief executive is attending to watch an old friend graduate.

Anna-Michael Smith is one of 34 graduates who will be receiving diplomas in John R. Gray Gymnasium at BA Friday. The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. and it is open to the public.

Smith is the daughter of Mike Smith and Cindy Hyde-Smith, of Brookhaven. Her mom is the commissioner of agriculture and commerce for the state. The Smiths also raise cattle, which makes Anna-Michael a fifth generation farmer.

Hyde-Smith said her daughter and the governor “go way back” to the teenager’s diaper days. “He’s known her pretty much her whole life,” she said.

The BA Cougar and Bryant often ride in the Dixie National annual parade together.

Hyde-Smith said her daughter was just five weeks old when she qualified to run for the state Senate. “I’d bring her and put her under my desk on the Senate floor on some Fridays in her carrier and I’d rock her with my foot,” she said.

Hyde-Smith was elected Ag commissioner in 2011 following a 12-year career as senator for District 39, which includes Lincoln County.

Bryant was state auditor and then lieutenant governor while she was a senator. Then when she was commissioner, he was governor. So the Smiths and Bryants have all become good friends over the years.

It’s that bond that brings Bryant to Brookhaven Academy.

Hyde-Smith said he’s not speaking at BA because of her. He’s doing it for her daughter. “He laughed and told me I’m coming for her. I’m coming for for Anna-Michael,” she said.

She said he promised a few of the BA graduates during a recent meeting that he planned to wear a Superman shirt under his tailored suit.

“He is so positive Mississippi and loves to invest time and resources into our young people,” Hyde-Smith said. “He told me, ‘I am honored to come speak at Brookhaven Academy.’ Brookhaven is very fortunate that he was kind enough to put this on his calendar.”

Jason Case, the head of schools at the private Christian academy, said they are honored to have the governor speak at the commencement. The Class of 2017 has been offered more than $1.2 million in scholarships.

“I look forward to visiting Brookhaven Academy and hope I can encourage this year’s graduates as they begin their journey to becoming leaders of our great state,” Bryant said in an emailed statement.