Florence County School District Three

Florence County School District Three’s Adult Education program presented high school diplomas to 31 graduates during a commencement ceremony at Blanding Street Auditorium Thursday, June 27.

The graduates include students from Florence County School Districts 2, 3 and 5.

Graduate Arris Jerome Smalls II addressed his fellow graduates along with their relatives and friends who gathered for the ceremony.

Smalls, confined to a wheelchair after an accident, said after his injury he “was angry and unsatisfied and just couldn’t figure out why. But once I started setting goals and achieving them, I noticed that anger would slowly leave,” he said. “It hasn’t been an easy road, but we all pushed through until the end and this is something you should be proud of,” Smalls said.  “I know it’s an accomplishment I’ll be proud of,” Smalls said.

“Anytime you give your best, your absolute best, there is satisfaction in the outcome,” said Small. “Sometimes you will fail, but if you know it wasn’t your best, give it another shot. Become obsessed with your goal of being successful.”

Smalls also thanked the staff of Florence County School District Three’s Lifelong Learning Center for helping him and his fellow graduates reach their goals.

Graduates included: Michelle Renee Ard, Rachel Miles Bass, Octavious Donte' Bostick, Bryonce Raquel Brown, Cassidy Tylo Chastain, Marlon Frederick Clements, Amberleigh Miles Dauberman, Abigail Nicole Flowers, Christopher Michael Galloway, Cheyenne Gibson, Jamontae Twiquan Graham, Daishun Malik Hanna, Florence Gail Hardiman, Raven Mishar Hewitt, Briley Leverne Hudson, Shamequa Lauren Jennings, Tratina Kieshwana Jordan, Chance McGan Langston, Roneal Leroy McFadden Jr., De'Quan Nathaniel McKenzie, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Poston, DreQuan Tyrond Scott, Arris Jerome Smalls II, Christopher James Spires, Chandra Ashley Steed, Drew Braxton Tanner, Jennifer Ann Thompson, Darius Keewon Walker, Ronketa Prince Washington, Michael J. Wilson and Mason Will Williams.

FCSD3 Superintendent Laura Hickson praised the graduates for their dedication and perseverance.

“This is the end of a chapter and the beginning of a new chapter,” she told the graduates. “I want you to know that you have to continue writing your story. Remember to persevere, work hard and never give up. If you trip and fall, get back up because you have the ability to succeed.”

“This is a very special night,” said Dr. Mark Evans, FCSD3’s director of adult/alternative education. “We applaud these graduates for their commitment to completing their course of study despite their reasons for leaving traditional school. Many of them also have the responsibility of working and taking care of their families while attending school," Evans said. “They all have worked hard to accomplish their educational goals, and we celebrate their successes with them.”