Wayne County Public Schools holds summer graduation
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on July 20, 2018 5:50 AM
Thirteen candidates from four area high schools were given the opportunity to participate in the summer commencement exercise for Wayne County Public Schools Wednesday.
This marked the second year for the additional ceremony, held in Moffatt Auditorium at Wayne Community College, said Beverly Boltinhouse, career and technical education director.
"In the past if they didn't finish all their requirements by graduation dates, they either could wait, finish their coursework and graduate late or they could do summer school, finish their coursework and just graduate but have no ceremony," she said. "Or they were given the opportunity to come back next year. But that diminishes the importance and the pride that they feel that they finished.
"Some were literally one class short, but with this, they get their graduation ceremony. And the parents get to see their child walk. It's a win-win for everybody."
Nikki Bridges was there to see her daughter, Jherhy'rrah Stevens, get her diploma for Goldsboro High School.
"Today means everything to me because a couple years ago, we lost her dad to Lou Gehrig's disease," Bridges said. "Just knowing this day means everything to her, because this day meant everything to him."
Stevens' aunts Charletta Williams and April Newkirk were also proud and admitted they expected to cry when the moment arrived.
Lyric Sauls, 8, had kind words to say about her big sister as well.
"I love her a lot," she said, adding that she supported Stevens "one thousand percent."
After a group photo was taken of the graduating class, Stevens reflected on the occasion.
"Honestly, it means a lot, due to the fact that I had several obstacles holding me back from this moment," she said. "But knowing that my father's watching over, and I made him proud (means a lot)."
She has a job for the summer and anticipates she will continue her education, but said she is undecided about whether she will study business administration or consider creative writing or journalism.
Brenden Baehman of Spring Creek High said he was just glad to finally get out of school.
"I'd like to start my own fabrication business," he said, explaining he enjoys working with metal, plastic and wood and aspires to be a "jack of all trades." He has already taken some courses in welding, he said.
Da'Rhontae Henderson of GHS was equally relieved but appreciative of the ceremony with his classmates.
"It's a good alternative," said Henderson, who plans to attend N.C. Central University in the fall and pursue a law degree.
Jayalia Davis of Southern Wayne said the evening represented a "good beginning."
"It's a new beginning to the future -- my career, my dream," she said, which includes becoming a forensics pathologist. Davis said she plans to start her undergraduate degree at WCC and then head to Western Carolina University.
Board of Education chair Patricia Burden, a former GHS principal, gave the commencement address.
She challenged the graduates to become trailblazers, passing along four lessons she learned from her own parents -- earn the trust of others, be your own best critic and motivator, be willing to work hard to achieve your goals and develop a strong intellectual curiosity, and build a vast storehouse of knowledge that's wide and deep.
While traditional in many ways, the ceremony also relaxed some of usual rules.
"We're not in any hurry," Boltinhouse told the students during rehearsal beforehand. "If your mama wants to take five pictures, let her take five pictures."
As it came time for the diplomas to be handed out, one representative from each candidate's family was invited to take a seat on the front row to get photos.
After the Class of 2018 was officially pronounced graduates, Tamara Berman-Ishee, assistant superintendent, announced that a special song had been chosen just for them. The tradition was begun at last year's ceremony, and the message was specifically selected for this group, she said.
As those on the stage led the recessional, the newly minted grads exited the auditorium to Keb Mo's "Let Your Light Shine."
Jaquetta Dudley, a GHS graduate, was excited to reunite with her 6-month-old son, Xion Dudley.
"It just felt like a very special day," she said.
Her brother, Antonio Wilder, spoke for himself and their other two brothers who couldn't attend.
"So proud. It's been a long time coming," he said. "We -- all three of us -- are proud of her."
Others receiving diplomas included Richard Rindy of Eastern Wayne High, Felicia Crisp, Shemar Edwards, Darriell Fuller, Khalil Langston, Ramir Lewis and Luis Martinez-Gutierrez of GHS and Federico Gonzalez-Sanchez of Southern Wayne.
Marshals for the event were Kylie Warrick of Eastern Wayne, Alexus Elliott of Southern Wayne and Joshua Cox of GHS.
Elliott, who had served as assistant chief marshal at her school's earlier ceremony, said she readily agreed when she was asked to serve.
"Because it's special, it's a special graduation, just like any other graduation," she said.
Warrick agreed.
"Not a lot of people get a second chance like this so it's nice to see them get that second chance and go on," she said.