Just when it seemed like graduation season was over, the Columbia County School District pulled together one last celebration for its summer school graduates.
On Thursday afternoon, 39 students were recognized from five different high schools who finished their high school career earlier this month.
Lakeside High’s Mariana Rios-Paz said that high schoolers should keep in mind that while the journey can be difficult, it isn’t impossible.
“You will get there eventually, even if it takes, like, you know, an extra few months or so,” she said.
“Just put the effort in it and just try to like, take it slow, not too fast, and try to like, enjoy the experience of being where you are,” she added. “It’s going to fly by really fast.”
Rios-Paz plans to pursue a career in meteorology, a path she’ll begin to forge for herself at Augusta University this Fall.
Edwin Garrett Jr. from Greenbrier High, said that the summer school experience was “definitely a lot of work,” but that it was made easier thanks to the support of his teachers.
“I just used them as a tool to really dive into my work and study hard and just ask for any extra help that I needed to just make it easier for me,” he said.
Garrett’s future goals include immersing himself in Japanese culture by moving abroad, before joining the Air Force to become a mechanic.
“You’ve just got to study hard, make friends, enjoy the experience of high school, you know, don’t overthink it,” he said. “And enjoy, enjoy it”
Graduates recognized
Graduates from Evans High include Danielle Corey, Anthony Lesser-McDaniel, Anh Nguyen, Madison Roberts, Darius Roebuck and Devin Shingler.
Graduates from Greenbrier High include Miguel Cordova, Joseph Crawford, Edwin Garrett Jr. and Paris Hernandez.
Graduates from Harlem High include Emarion Boyd and Eontae Jackson.
Graduates from Lakeside High include Malakai Armstrong, Jacob Erickson, David Harbeson Jr., Alexander Hendricks, Mariana Rios-Paz, Haydin Tappendick and Eric Walters.
Graduates from Grovetown High include Orhyan Berry, Samya Blake, Deshawn Butler, Kobe Coburn, Joselius Arellano, Nathan Deckert, Kaylyn Dozier, Aaliyah Jackson, Anthony Jackson, Justin Jennings Jr., Montana Johnson-Hammonds, Christopher Marshall II, Kiesha McGuire, Isaiah Morgan, Zaleth Aguirre, Larry Pace III, Jayden Pratt, Jada Robinson, Colin Worley and Amor Zollicoffer.
