Home Local News Principal: Ashley Chapel grads show ‘perseverance’

Principal: Ashley Chapel grads show ‘perseverance’

Graduates of Ashley Chapel Educational Center walk across the stage at Rockingham Middle School on Thursday.
Sarah Minks - Richmond Observer

ROCKINGHAM – Twenty-three students outfitted in royal blue caps and gowns completed their high school journey from Ashley Chapel Education Center on Thursday.

Those walking across the Rockingham Middle School auditorium stage, graduating from Richmond County’s alternative school, celebrated the milestone with the supportive, smiling faces of friends and family members in the audience.

Leading the Class of 2019 academically were valedictorian Samuel McCrea and salutatorian Amar Smith.

Proud grandfather Ivory Hill snapped photos of his granddaughter, Donna McDonald, as she walked across the stage. 

Hill said McDonald is supposed to join the military in two years.

“I hope I can continue to encourage her to do that,” he said.

The school’s staff and faculty have also been supportive.

“We all love these kids,” said Wendi Hinson, who has taught at the school for five years.

“Over the years, these students have grown up through many life challenges, and at times they have wanted to give up, but our job is not just to teach them but to help them grow and be advocates for them in the past and even in the future,” she said. “I want them all to learn their true potential and that they can achieve their goals and overcome many obstacles life has and will throw at you. It is your turn to venture out into the world and live to the fullest.”

Counselor Monica Robinson acknowledged the ups and downs that the students have been through to get them to graduation.

“There have been a lot of tears, a lot of fights, a lot of hair pullin’, a lot of name callin’, a lot of pushin’, pullin’, beggin’, pleadin’, so on and so forth,” she said. “You know what we had to go through. But you endured. You stayed on the path and you made it.”

Robison also reminded them that the choices they make will determine the direction their life takes and that they are in control of the outcome.

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Principal Kevin Mabe addressed the graduates with a quote from Albert Einstein: “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” 

Mabe told the students that they “showed decency and perseverance” and reminded them that they have gifts and talents. He also had three wishes for them: health, happiness and for them to always do their best.

“You are going to succeed because I’m crazy enough to think you can,” he said. “I love you and I’m proud of you.” 

 



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