FCSD3 Adult Education Program Graduates 37

Florence County School District Three’s Adult Education program presented high school diplomas to 37 graduates during a commencement ceremony at Blanding Street Auditorium Thursday, June 30.

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

Graduate Kaitlin Belue, who dropped out of high school after becoming a teen mother, addressed her fellow graduates along with their relatives and friends who gathered for the ceremony.

“As we stand here today, accomplishing this goal that many said we could never reach, we should feel very proud of ourselves,” said Belue. “Today, we are better because we overcame obstacles and defied the odds. Even when no one believed in us; not even ourselves believed in us, and said we’d never make it, we still pushed ourselves and finally made it,” she added.

Belue thanked the staff of Florence County School District Three’s Lifelong Learning Center for helping her reach her goal, from the teachers to support staff and day care staff that cared for her son while she attended classes.

“The faculty and staff of Lifelong Learning Center always made sure each and every one of us knew we would always have a home there, and people who care for us and would help us when we fall,” said Blue. “Because of Lifelong Learning Center, I am able to have a bright future and succeed for my son.”

Graduates included: Javonte' Tyrake Anderson, Sherry Maria Barriose, Zachary Austin Baxley, Kaitlin Brianna Belue, Destiny Nicole Blackburn, Joshua Andrew Brooks, Meghan Brielle Brown, Isaiah Chris Cockfield, Patrick A Cooper, Jordan Ashley Cox, Aszane’ Tatianna Cruz, Jordon Chadwyck Driggers, Jessica Lynn Floyd, Ny’Asia Darcel Frierson, Roslyn Kierra Fulmore, Tyler Lee Gaskins, Monroe Malik Givens, Jared Alexande Graham, Michael Taylor Hayes, Ashley Nicole Lee, Jennifer April Lynch, Markes Cameron McCutcheon, Alexis Kay McKnight, Jessica Nicole McLain, Brittany Shontel Myers, Melinda Norwood, Brandy Deanna Osborne, Daniel Adam Purvis, Daphne Balawn Ray, Jessica Erin Richey, Tequila Renata Roberson, Yasmine Tashema Rose, Allison Devonne Sims, Shanna Rae Tuten, Jhon Sauveur Williams, Tyler Lee Wood and Sarah Brooke Yow.

FCSD3 superintendent Laura Hickson praised the graduates for their perseverance. “Success is awarded to those who work hard and persevere,” Ms. Hickson said. “To our graduating class, I commend you for working hard and persevering – not giving up.”

Ms. Hickson encouraged the graduates to “finish strong in the race of life. This Race of Life is not going to be about where you have come from, but it will be about where you are going. It is going to be about your commitment, preparation and will to work hard,” she said.

“This is a very special night,” said Dr. Mark Evans, FCSD3’s director of adult/alternative education. “All of us 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.”

For more information about FCSD3’s Adult Education program, call 843-374-5517.

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Florence County School District Three’s Adult Education program presented high school diplomas to 37 graduates during a commencement ceremony at Blanding Street Auditorium Thursday, June 30.

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

Graduate Kaitlin Belue, who dropped out of high school after becoming a teen mother, addressed her fellow graduates along with their relatives and friends who gathered for the ceremony.

“As we stand here today, accomplishing this goal that many said we could never reach, we should feel very proud of ourselves,” said Belue. “Today, we are better because we overcame obstacles and defied the odds. Even when no one believed in us; not even ourselves believed in us, and said we’d never make it, we still pushed ourselves and finally made it,” she added.

Belue thanked the staff of Florence County School District Three’s Lifelong Learning Center for helping her reach her goal, from the teachers to support staff and day care staff that cared for her son while she attended classes.

“The faculty and staff of Lifelong Learning Center always made sure each and every one of us knew we would always have a home there, and people who care for us and would help us when we fall,” said Blue. “Because of Lifelong Learning Center, I am able to have a bright future and succeed for my son.”

Graduates included: Javonte' Tyrake Anderson, Sherry Maria Barriose, Zachary Austin Baxley, Kaitlin Brianna Belue, Destiny Nicole Blackburn, Joshua Andrew Brooks, Meghan Brielle Brown, Isaiah Chris Cockfield, Patrick A Cooper, Jordan Ashley Cox, Aszane’ Tatianna Cruz, Jordon Chadwyck Driggers, Jessica Lynn Floyd, Ny’Asia Darcel Frierson, Roslyn Kierra Fulmore, Tyler Lee Gaskins, Monroe Malik Givens, Jared Alexande Graham, Michael Taylor Hayes, Ashley Nicole Lee, Jennifer April Lynch, Markes Cameron McCutcheon, Alexis Kay McKnight, Jessica Nicole McLain, Brittany Shontel Myers, Melinda Norwood, Brandy Deanna Osborne, Daniel Adam Purvis, Daphne Balawn Ray, Jessica Erin Richey, Tequila Renata Roberson, Yasmine Tashema Rose, Allison Devonne Sims, Shanna Rae Tuten, Jhon Sauveur Williams, Tyler Lee Wood and Sarah Brooke Yow.

FCSD3 superintendent Laura Hickson praised the graduates for their perseverance. “Success is awarded to those who work hard and persevere,” Ms. Hickson said. “To our graduating class, I commend you for working hard and persevering – not giving up.”

Ms. Hickson encouraged the graduates to “finish strong in the race of life. This Race of Life is not going to be about where you have come from, but it will be about where you are going. It is going to be about your commitment, preparation and will to work hard,” she said.

“This is a very special night,” said Dr. Mark Evans, FCSD3’s director of adult/alternative education. “All of us 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.”

For more information about FCSD3’s Adult Education program, call 843-374-5517.

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