Tornado Threat Does Not Deter Adult-ed Grads
It was the first letter of Baxter’s last name that put her in the lead spot, but her hard work and sheer ecstasy could have earned her the honor to usher the graduates in.
Baxter, 46, screamed for joy after the ceremony.
“It took me 27 years to go back, and I was scared to go back, but it was God’s grace and mercy that got me through,” she shouted, extending both arms toward the sky.
More than two dozen of Baxter’s friends, family, and church members erupted in screams and applause as she marched across the stage.
Her daughter, Demetria Kelly, stood by her mother’s side. Baxter had seen to it that her children were grown, educated and independent before she resumed her education.
Before the ceremony, graduates huddled with their individual circle of supporters. Friends, family and significant others stood adoring their graduates, adjusting their caps and gowns, and smiling for pictures.
Twenty-seven graduates with 27 different stories marched. The diverse group ranged in age from 17 to 49. A few took time to share the hurdles they overcame to reach this milestone.
Annette Benson, 49, earned her high school diploma more than two decades after she began.
“I worked on this for 23 years, and I thought this day was never coming,” she said.
Benson said she was grateful for the encouragement of Dr. Kim Linton, director of adult education for the Lancaster County School District.
“I did it before I was 50,” Benson said, laughing.
She pointed to a group of about a dozen supporters including her adult son, who cheered loudly when her name was announced as she marched across the stage.
One graduate overcame a serious health issue.
Allison Shehane, 19, had a liver transplant when she was 10 years old.
“This is very exciting,” she said. “I didn’t know how far I would get in school. I sure didn’t think this night would get here.”
Her mom, Mary Anne Boone, said, “We went through some scary moments, and I just wanted her to finish high school.”
Shehane plans to study forensic science and become a coroner. She said her health problems gave her a fascination with the human body.
Some graduates had children who delayed their education.
Amber Geiger, 20, said her two kids, ages 1 and 3, came first in her life.
“I had to put my life on hold for a while,” she said.
Desiree Threatt, 24, was surrounded by her husband, Anthony, and their two children. She works as a groomer at PetSense.
Her
dad, Don Rodenberger, drove two and half hours from Statesville, N.C.,
“through the storm and Charlotte traffic to get here.”Threatt was joined by about a dozen family members who came from as far away as Baltimore.
One graduate, Sidney Faile, overcame a very hard situation at home. Choosing to keep the details to herself, she said, "I knew I had to do it, so I did it."“This girl has been through a lot,” Rentz said as her eyes filled with tears. “She didn’t give up. I wouldn’t let her.”
Faile smiled at her grandmother, her “biggest fan.”
Brandi Bishop marched in wearing her girlfriend’s cap and gown from four years ago.
“I used hers because we wanted to make a pretty cool memory, so instead of getting my own I used hers,” Bishop said. Her girlfriend, Victoria Hurst, stood next to her, smiling from ear to ear.
Bishop plans to become a pharmacist.
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| Victoria Hurst takes selfie with her girlfriend who wore her gown for the special night. |
‘I am in awe’
Carolann Cartwright, 18, is already a sophomore at USCL, and her goal is to become a registered nurse.
Adult education teachers have no doubt that she will achieve her dream. She has a 3.6 GPA and she has a job.
“I’ve always had a passion for people,” Cartwright said, flashing a bright smile. “I’m a people person.”
The teacher of employability skills, Donna Williamson, praised Cartwright.
“I am in awe of her customer service skills, which I have witnessed at KFC,” Williams said. “I know what I am talking about. She has awesome skills. I would hire her in a minute.”
India Chisholm’s two dozen friends and family filled the hallway just outside the auditorium. Those celebrating with her included her minister, mother, aunts, nieces, nephews, friends and church family.
Chisholm, 24, shared her story on Twitter, where she thanked God for her success.
She said school officials labeled her a “special needs child” and she was told she “couldn’t go nowhere.” They placed her in a non-diploma tract of classes. She was moved through the system and awarded an “occupational diploma…with no merit.”
Later she discovered that a learning disability was complicating her comprehension. She then enrolled in a special program at the University of South Carolina in Columbia for high school students “just like me.”
Financial issues forced her to drop out during her junior year. She returned home with plans to resume her studies, but delayed it once more after her mom had a stroke in January 2016. When her mom got well, she returned to the adult education program in Lancaster.
“I decided to get my GED, and now I got it,” Chisholm said, smiling and pointing toward the heavens in gratitude.
‘Barriers and trials’
Despite dangerous storms with high winds and torrential rain rolling through Lancaster, everyone was in place for the 7 p.m. ceremony. The entrance doors were closed, the crowd grew quiet, and their chatter was replaced by the sound of a victorious march song. The doors opened, the audience stood, and Dr. Linton led her staff and 27 marching graduates in.
“I am really, really impressed with this class,” Linton said as her eyes scanned the graduates dressed in the colors of each of the county’s four high schools. “Every individual sitting on this stage had barriers and trials throughout their lives, and I am really pleased to say that they endured and came to this point successfully.”
This year’s adult ed class had 66 graduates, Linton said.
Bobby Parker, chair of the Lancaster County school board, delivered the commencement address.
“Going back to get your diploma or GED is hard,” Parker told the graduates. “And I respect that.”
Parker said he relates to the adult education students because it took him 13 years after enrolling at USCL to get his associate’s degree in business. He enrolled in 1977, dropped out in 1979, and returned in 1987 at age 29. For a decade, he chose to play music in clubs rather than attend college. But working third shift at the bleachery opened his eyes to what education had to offer.
“That has made the difference in my life and the lives of my children,” Parker said. “What you have just done has made you eligible for hundreds of jobs that just days ago you weren’t eligible for.”
He assured them that their diploma or GED would lead to promotions, more free time, healthier and longer lives, and more money. He urged them to continue and not stop here.
“Keep bettering yourselves,” he said. “We are all proud of you.”
In keeping with tradition, Pat Threatt, a veteran adult education teacher, urged the audience to cheer and applaud each and every graduate.
“Please don’t hold your applause until the end,” she said. “Don’t just applaud your graduate. Let each one know how proud you are of them.”
The nearly-full auditorium stood, cheered, and applauded every single one who marched across the stage.
Follow Reporter Mandy Catoe on Twitter @MandyCatoeTLN or contact her at (803) 283-1152.
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