A LABAMA L EDGER MAY 2023 SPECIAL GRADUATION SECTION
Encouraging Message for the Class of 2023
By Nyna Nix Sardis High School Salutatorian "In a lot of ways, the Class of 2023 has been through a lot. Between the pandemic that stole away our first two years and the skyrocketing prices that hit right as we got our first cars and jobs, our high school career has been shaped by especially extraordinary circumstances. The normalcy we were promised would return has yet to fully come back, and I feel like we all, on some level, miss when things were much simpler. The fact of the matter is that these four years have been pretty tough Dual Enrollment offers students the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school. The program at various local colleges also helped some members of the Class of 2023 earn a high school diploma and a college degree in the same year. The Dual Enrollment program has also become so popular that Gadsden State Community College reported a record number of dual enrollment students for the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 semesters. “We continue to see an increase in dual enrollment students each academic year,” said Dr. Kathy Murphy, president of Gadsden State. “More students are recognizing the benefits of taking dual enrollment college classes
for a lot of us, and I know a lot of people who have felt especially hopeless and dejected during this time. I don't bring this up just to make everyone feel bad -- rather, I think that there's something of value in recognizing what we've been through. It's taken a lot of determination to get to this point, and regardless of what your high school experience was -- regardless of if it was the best four years of your life, or if it was the most debilitating thing you've experienced thus far -- I want you to know that I'm proud of each and every single one of you. I once heard that while in high school.” Over the past two semesters, 1,537 students were enrolled in college courses at Gadsden State concurrently with high school classes. That’s an increase of 178 percent from Fall 2014 when only 276 students were dually enrolled. “The increase in enrollment has resulted in additional funding from the Alabama Community College System,” said Tonya Douthitt, coordinator of Gadsden State’s Dual Enrollment Program. “We have seen funding allocations increase from $26,000 in the fiscal year 2013 to over $975,000 for the current fiscal year.” Since 2014, over $5.4 million has been granted to Gadsden State for
'courage need not be remembered, for it is never forgotten.' Well, I can assure you, the courage it has taken you to stare down hardship and adversity and say, 'no, I won't quit, even if I feel scared, or lost, or confused -- this won't deter me,' is something that will never be forgotten. Remember your courage as you leave this phase of your life and move on to the next above all else. Don't let the hard times get to you, because I promise that you'll get through it the same way you got through this. Take care, class of 2023. It's been an honor to be a part of you." dual enrollment students. In the same timeframe, there have been 40 new onsite dual enrollment courses added at various high school campuses in Gadsden State’s service area of Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Etowah and St. Clair counties. Eligible students may enroll during any semester or mini term and can be in general education or career technical programs. Dual enrollment courses are available in traditional, online and hybrid formats in addition to the courses available in the high schools. “We have a wide variety of programs and course options available to our high school students,” Douthitt said. “Students can follow a career path that is high-wage
Dual Enrollment Numbers Increase Valley Head Seniors (L-R) Ethan Smith, Alexis Speights, Emma Harrison, Kandace King, and Allie Pritchett pose for a picture during the school's annual senior awards day. For more graduation coverage be sure to check out this special edition of the Alabama Ledger. Graduation Time Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, Alabama Ledger
and high-demand or they can explore opportunities in STEM-related academic courses, like math and science,” she added. Murphy announced at the recent commencement ceremony on May 11 at Gadsden State Cherokee that 17 dual enrollment students earned certifications as high school students. “It is remarkable that these young people are able to complete college course requirements to earn a certification before they even receive their high school diploma,” she said. “The Dual Enrollment Program put them ahead of the game.” Eleven students earned their short-term certificate in welding while six students became emergency medical technicians. The programs
require 28 and 12 credit hours respectively. The certification verifies that the students are prepared for entry-level employment in their chosen field. Students earning welding certificates are Michael Benson, Austin Davenport, Jesus Diaz, Cameron Gable, Braxton Garrard, Jackson Garrard, Riley Maise, Armando Nunez, Haddon Smith, Jackson Steward and Jesus Valdez. EMT completers are Hunter Bridges, Macon Cofield, Coalie Easterwood, Kaytlyn Gardner, Kinslee Pressley and Teiona Wiggins. “These students have an advantage over some of their peers because they are able to go straight into the workforce right after high school graduation or they
are already well on their way to earning an associate degree,” Douthitt said. “In the end, they will most likely earn their degree well before those who were not dually enrolled.” Scholarships are available and are funded by the Career Technical Dual Enrollment Grant from the ACCS. Career tech programs and STEM courses are given priority when awarding scholarships. To be eligible for the Program, students must be a high school sophomore, junior or senior. They must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 for academic courses or a 2.0 to enroll in approved career technical programs. Approval is required from parents and a high school official.
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, Alabama Ledger
Members of the Guntersville High School Class of 2023 took time to pose for a group picture prior to Awards Night on May 18 at the First Baptist Church in Guntersville. Find more information about the Class of 2023 inside this edition of the Alabama Ledger. Guntersville High School Class of 2023
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