GEC Class of 2023: “We Made It”
The long-awaited moment finally arrived May 19: five years, 925 school days and 5125 instructional hours (for some four years, 740 school days, and 4100 instruction hours) later. The 2023 class had weathered hurricane Florence and endured a historic global pandemic. Thirty-eight Greene Early College students excitedly awaited their special evening at New Direction Church. Donning cords of various colors and stoles, they were eager to hear their names called. Earlier in the month, on May 11, twenty-three of the graduates received their LCC associate degree at the Kinston campus.
Following the national anthem, sung a cappella, by Ana Sophia Zuniga Sanchez, and invocation given by Nidia Acevedo, Principal, Taylor Moore, welcomed the approximately 300 proud family and friends of the graduates who had gathered for the occasion.
Salutatorian, Rachel Mae Francis. Photo: submitted.
Then he introduced this year’s Salutatorian, Rachel Mae Francis. She concluded her studies at GEC with a 4.70 weighted GPA and will be attending East Carolina University, pursuing a degree in psychology. Rachel sincerely expressed appreciation to to staff family members who supported the entire class while at GEC. She acknowledged that GEC is more than a school; it’s a family; it’s a community which fostered strong relationships. Realizing that the pandemic beginning in their freshman and continuing through sophomore years at GEC caused a loss of traditional high school experiences, but Rachel stated, “Despite that, we have persevered academically and socially to rebuild friendships and finish the school year strong.” Rachel stressed that the coming back together has had many points of reunion, but the most important was tonight: graduation. She further encouraged her fellow classmates to reflect on the many memories and lessons learned at GEC and expressed her confidence in all the graduates’ success in the future.
Valedictorian, Wyatt Lynden Grantham. Photo: Submitted
Following her speech, Rachel introduced Valedictorian, Wyatt Lynden Grantham. He completed his academics studies at GEC with a 4.74 weighted GPA, and will be attending University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in the fall to study business administration. Wyatt began speech by saying emphatically to his fellow classmates, “We made it!” Appreciative to his classmates, teachers, and parents, he credited them with molding him into the adult he is today. He encouraged all to be grateful as they remember the big and small events of their days at GEC. Since the freshman year was affected so drastically by the pandemic and its challenges, coupled with the academic rigor of high school and college classes and continued through sophomore year, Wyatt emphasized by stating, “Like everything in life, there was a light within the darkness…there was hope.” He also recounted the effects of COVID during their junior year: social distancing, masks, and quarantining. Finally, he said, the senior year was truly normal. Complimenting his class for their unique abilities, he felt assured that their impact would result in making the world a better place in the future. Lastly, Wyatt noted that although GEC is small, it always makes up for in spirit. He concluded by saying, “I’m proud to call GEC home.”
Then, Mr. Moore presented the graduates their diplomas as LCC Liaison, Pamela Gonzalez, recognized each graduate, describing their future plans and the graduate’s parting thoughts. Superintendent, Dr. Frank Creech and Board of Education Chairperson, Joey Rackley, congratulated each graduate. The ceremony concluded as Cara May-Lynn Walker, SGA President, stood before her classmates and excitedly led the much-anticipated and long-awaited turning of the tassels. A final blessing for the class of 2023 was given by Jacinta Blow in her benediction.
Congratulations Graduates! Your futures are bright.
Composite Graduating Picture:
Montana Miller
Cory Jones
Tyler Crawford
Piper Mattingly
McKenzie Wilson
Elizabeth Estrada
Jenna Thorne
Rachel Francis
Nathan Vandiford
Keith Hooker
Maria Sanabria
Brandon Garris
Austin Brockway
Bowen Zheng
Daniel McKinley
Wyatt Grantham
Jada Morelock
Taylor Smith
Vanessa Ortiz
Uriah Thompson
Elizabeth Avery
Maria Castelan
Tiffany Lin
Cara Walker
Maria Sanabria
Jenna Thorne
Jakeyia Dunn
Abbygail Tripp
Anamaria Zuniga
Reagan Dixon
Jacinta Blow
Ana Zuniga
Nidia Acevedo
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