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THE WINTER GRADUATING CLASS of Goal Academy prepares for the commencement ceremony. From back left, Johnny Hancock and Tyler Duke stand with, from front left, Ashley Kincaid, Desire Lively, Brittany Smith, Callie Rutledge, Jazmene Rogers, Katanna White and Catie Edwards. Banner photos, JOYANNA WEBER
Students determined to be a year behind attend Goal Academy for credit recovery in order to meet the state requirements for graduation and to graduate on time. Principal Kyle Page congratulated all the students and encouraged them to use wisdom in the decisions they make after high school.
Bradley County Board of Education Chairman Charlie Rose called the day, “a foundation to building a better life.
“It is an investment in your future. An investment that will give greater dividends as the years pass,” Rose said.
Director of Schools Johnny McDaniel said education is a key, and now students need to find the door that they want it to open.
“I want to say thank you for sticking with it. ... Everyone of you made a choice ... that you were going to finish no matter what it took. And I’m so glad [you met that goal] tonight,” McDaniel said.
School counselor Rhoda Parris reminded the students of what they had already overcome to get to this point.
“Some people in your life may have thought you would never finish high school,” Parris said.
Four students spoke about there experiences at Goal during the graduation. Each of them thanked their family and the staff at the academy for helping them reach this milestone.
Graduate Cody Waymire said the school staff really did feel like family.
“From Mr. (Kyle) Page being like a big brother, to Miss (Jessie) Hamilton being like a sister I always wished I had, to Mr. (Archie) McDaniel being like a father I could always come to in the mornings and he would have the words of wisdom I needed. ... Mr. D (Allan DiSiena) always being there when I needed someone to talk to. All in all, my stay here at Goal Academy has been an experience I will never forget,” he said.
He encouraged his fellow graduates to push forward, and continue to succeed.
Graduate Jazmene Rogers encouraged her fellow graduates to be proud of what they have accomplished.
“I am happy that I was able to achieve this goal,” graduate Tyler Duke said.
Duke said he knew a high school diploma would open up new opportunities to him.
Students were also encouraged to continue their education in the pursuit of future goals.
