Peachtree – A total of 28 Tri-County Early College High School students walked across the stage and received their high school diplomas Friday night.
Parents, fellow students and teachers filled the Enloe Auditorium of Tri-County Community College to celebrate the Class of 2025. Opening remarks were given by Early College Principal Jason Forrister.
The first student speaker was Jacob Gonzalez-Machorro, a magna cum laude graduate who earned honors in career and technical education. He welcomed all in attendance on behalf of the graduating class. He also thanked the parents, teachers and administrators for coming to the graduation.
Emma Smith, a summa cum laude graduate, spoke next and shared moments from the last four years at the Early College, including moving into the Cherokee County Schools of Innovation when they were juniors.
Isabelle Gladson, another summa cum laude graduate, was the final student speaker. She shared stories from their high school experience, including when they were freshmen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We persevered, knowing this moment would be worth it,” she said. “We are not finished products, we’re just getting started.”
Gladson earned the Morehead-Cain Scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a full ride granted to less than 100 students each year. Gladson is one of few in western North Carolina to receive the scholarship.
After Gladson spoke, the students got to the moment they had been waiting for. Each of the graduates walked across the stage and received their diploma from Forrister. After the students returned to their seats, Cherokee County Board of Education Chair Shannon Raper announced the turning of their tassels.
The crowd erupted in applause and shot off confetti. As the colorful shredded paper fell, students began to throw their caps in the traditional celebration.
Of the 28 graduates, 12 will continue their education at a four-year university, four will go on to study at a two-year school, 10 will enter the workforce and two will join the military.
A total of 19 of graduates already hold an associate’s degree, and by December that number will increase to 22, Forrister said. A total of 11 students earned two associate’s degrees. The 11 earned both an associate of arts, as well as an associate of science or associate of fine arts degrees.
The Tri-County Early College Class of 2025 has access to more than $1.5 million in scholarship money.