Greene Early College celebrated the graduation of the Class 0f 2021 Thursday, May 27 at Greene County Wellness Center. Observing all safety protocols with social distancing and the wearing of masks, eighteen graduates formally received their high school diplomas before family, friends, staff, and Greene County School administrators.

Being the first time that all eighteen graduates were together in several months, they were excited to see and greet each other and say goodbye to their classmates as each moves on to a new chapter in his/her life. Principal, Dr. Rodney McNeill, welcomed all in attendance. He also congratulated the graduates who had already received fifteen Associate’s Degrees and twenty skilled-based certificates from Lenoir Community College at the May 7 graduation ceremony on Main Campus in Kinston. He then introduced Salutatorian, Naomi Oakley, who concluded her studies with a 4.52-weighted GPA. She will be attending North Carolina State in fall 2021, studying fashion and textile management at the Wilson School of Textile. Naomi graciously expressed appreciation to all who helped her in her educational journey. In her address, she referenced High School Musical:

“The saying of the year(2020-2021)–that has been on all over posters and public service announcements is “We’re all in this together.” It is funny because when I started school “We’re All in this together” was one of the main songs from High School Musical. But spoiler alert, almost nothing is like actual high school. Real high school has less choreographed song and dance numbers and more balancing acts of homework and projects. But class of 2021 we did it! Something High School Musical was right about is that YOU choose who you are. All [of you] gotta do is believe. But many things have changed since High School Musical’s release. . . “ Naomi concluded her speech referring the many paths students may choose, and challenging each graduate by saying, “Whichever path you choose, do not go halfway. Always give it your best.”

Valedictorian, Celia Valle Baltazar, completed her academics studies with a 4.67 weighted GPA, and will be attending Western Carolina in the fall to continue her studies in psychology. Celia described the anxiety many fellow students had when entering GEC, “When we first arrived at Greene Early College, we were nervous, having been thrown into a new environment that would lead us closer to our goals. Some of us already knew what these goals were; others were in the process of figuring out these goals. “ She gave all in attendance two life tips that she learned at GEC:

“The first is not to procrastinate, set schedules and try to give yourself time to complete projects and work.” Celia’s second tip was “The last tip is not to be afraid to ask questions… It is best to clear a misunderstanding than to wait on someone else who may be in the same situation to clear it for you.”

Then, Dr. McNeill presented graduates with their diplomas as Counselor Arriana Harris recognized graduates as each was congratulated by Superintendent, Dr. Patrick Miller. The ceremony concluded as Carolyne Bello, stood before her classmates and excitedly led the much-anticipated turning of the tassels.