Grovetown High School’s gymnasium was packed on Thursday evening as families celebrated 46 high school graduates from across the district for completing summer school.
The summer graduating class of 2024 consisted of six students from Evans High, five from Harlem High, seven from Greenbrier High, 11 from Lakeside High and 17 from Grovetown High School.
Alongside the Board of Education members, Superintendent Steven Flynt congratulated students on diligently completing their coursework and requirements to step into the next phase of life.
“Your presence here today shows that you value education and what it means to be a high school graduate,” he said. “It shows your dedication and commitment to success is only the beginning of what we all know will be a right and promising start to your next adventure.”
Flynt said graduates could walk away with confidence knowing that they are going to continue a Columbia County School District tradition of entering into post-secondary programs, such as college or technical school.
With a vision to lead the nation in educational excellence where each student is engaged, enriched and inspired, Flynt said he was proud of the students before him and was looking forward to their future impact on the community.
“Graduation is important whenever you do it and we wanted to celebrate these students,” he said. “We’re very proud of them, and we’re looking forward to all the things they are going to accomplish.”
After students shook hands with their principal, Flynt and board members, each happily accepted their diploma as family members and friends loudly cheered and waved signs in the bleachers.
Attending mother Nicole Slappy said words could not adequately describe how emotional she felt when cheering for her son.
“I can’t even explain the feeling, because I’ve been crying since I walked in here,” she said. “I’m very proud.”
Following the ceremony, Slappy said she was most looking forward to seeing her son continually striving in life thanks to his determination and education.
Lakeside High School graduate Victoria Knight said she was grateful to finish summer school and work towards her goal of attending college, but she was going to miss the encouraging teachers.
“They pushed me, and if they saw me struggling they would help,” she said. “That really helped a lot.”
Knight said she was also very thankful to participate in the district’s summer graduation ceremony, as she wanted her mom to have the meaningful experience of seeing her daughter receive a diploma.
Similar to Knight’s sentiments, fellow graduate LaRonte Smith-Williams, from Grovetown High School, said it feels great to know that he is done with high school and is free to move on to new daily routines.
“It’s good to be out to explore life a little bit – do what you want to do and chase your own passion and dreams,” he said. “That’s what I’m about to do.”
Smith-Williams said his dream consisted of enlisting in the military to serve his country.
Looking back on his four years of high school, Smith-Williams said he most going to miss his friends and caring teachers.
“I’m going to miss the environment for the most part,” he said.
To upcoming seniors and graduates, Smith-Williams said he would tell each one that anyone can graduate high school, so long as they stay focused and dedicated.
“You can do it. There’s always motivation out there, you just got to find it in order to chase your passion,” he said.
