Nearly 100 Mississippi students of varying ages walked across the stage to receive their high school diplomas today after getting a second chance.
That second chance was provided by the Mississippi Community Education Center and Families First for Mississippi through their free online high school diploma program. Students who are at risk of dropping out or failing to graduate high school are able to enter the program with the credits they’ve already accrued and put them toward the program that they can complete at their own pace.
“This event is a testament to each of these graduates’ commitment to strive for greater things,” Barbie Ducksworth, Education and Diploma Director for Families First, said.
News anchor Maggie Wade-Dixon delivered the commencement address to the graduates, and her message focused on the perseverance of the graduates and their ability to provide a shining example to others.
“As long as you have breath in your body, you have the ability to learn,” she said during her remarks.
The program is offered across the state and the curriculum is certified by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and by the Mississippi Department of Education. Certified teachers and trained facilitators work with students as they navigate the program.
Ducksworth praised the graduates for their achievement and went on to say that she hopes to see them continue to seek out new experiences as they prepare for the next step in their lives.
“Through this program, they are also exposed to other opportunities that open doors for them to enter the workforce and develop other necessary skills,” she said.
With centers across the state, Families First also offers courses to individuals and families related to youth development, parenting education, workforce readiness, literacy promotion and much more.
