I was astounded to arrive at the church and find cars parked in every direction. I knew it was a big event to see students from the five high schools of Huntsville accept their high school diplomas, but I was not expecting such a tremendous out pour of love from others. I applaud Dr. Casey Wardynski, Mrs. Edith Pickens, and Dr. Barbara Cooper of the Huntsville City School Board of Education for allowing our Pinnacle students to walk into that church and celebrate their achievements.
The graduation ceremony started out with a moving invocation by Kim Cox from the Pinnacle Schools’ Board of Directors. When the graduating class was welcomed, the applause could have probably been heard blocks away. Mrs. Edith Pickens told the crowd that in that church sat $200 million dollars of talent, since high school graduates reportedly earn an average of $200,000 more than those who do not graduate from high school.
Laura Worshim, Pinnacle Schools Director of Education, briefly brought smiles of pride to the faces of every graduate before the keynote address was delivered by Dr. Aisha Fields, a Pinnacle Schools representative. Tears filled the eyes of every graduate and my arms covered with goose bumps as she welcomed the graduating class into the next phase of their lives.
Finally, it was time to welcome the graduates to the stage and give them the diplomas they so greatly deserved. The hard times were replaced with joyous, prideful tears and smiles of accomplishment shared by the graduates, their family members, their friends, and their peers. There was such beauty in the moment that it will never be replaced in my memory and my heart.
All of the graduates and their loved ones are grateful to have been given this experience. The event was successfully completed in a manner of celebration and respect for all. For that, I send a warm thank you to the Huntsville City Board of Education. I am also appreciative of the Pinnacle Schools administration, faculty, and staff. To the families who believed in these students and trusted them to the Pinnacle Schools, my love goes out to you as well. This is beyond doubt the home of second chances.
The graduation ceremony started out with a moving invocation by Kim Cox from the Pinnacle Schools’ Board of Directors. When the graduating class was welcomed, the applause could have probably been heard blocks away. Mrs. Edith Pickens told the crowd that in that church sat $200 million dollars of talent, since high school graduates reportedly earn an average of $200,000 more than those who do not graduate from high school.
Laura Worshim, Pinnacle Schools Director of Education, briefly brought smiles of pride to the faces of every graduate before the keynote address was delivered by Dr. Aisha Fields, a Pinnacle Schools representative. Tears filled the eyes of every graduate and my arms covered with goose bumps as she welcomed the graduating class into the next phase of their lives.
Finally, it was time to welcome the graduates to the stage and give them the diplomas they so greatly deserved. The hard times were replaced with joyous, prideful tears and smiles of accomplishment shared by the graduates, their family members, their friends, and their peers. There was such beauty in the moment that it will never be replaced in my memory and my heart.
All of the graduates and their loved ones are grateful to have been given this experience. The event was successfully completed in a manner of celebration and respect for all. For that, I send a warm thank you to the Huntsville City Board of Education. I am also appreciative of the Pinnacle Schools administration, faculty, and staff. To the families who believed in these students and trusted them to the Pinnacle Schools, my love goes out to you as well. This is beyond doubt the home of second chances.
