Peachtree – The 34 members of the Tri-County Early College Class of 2024 walked across the stage at Tri-County Community College’s Enloe Building on Friday evening.
Of the 34 graduates, 27 also earned an associate of arts degree from TCCC as well as their high school diploma. Two earned an associate of fine arts, while 14 earned an associate of science degree, as well as their associate of arts degree.
The Early College’s Class of 2024 earned more than $2 million in scholarship money. This year’s graduating class is the first to attend the new campus inside the Cherokee County Schools of Innovation & Technology.
Students who received academic honors wore different sashes, depending on which honor they earned. Lily Burch, Sebastian Clevez, Amanda Fleischer, Lilly Graham, Lexie Graves, Lisa Page, Carly Pope, Ciera Ward and Cameron Woody graduated summa cum laude; Logan DiCicco, Maya Grotefend, Jonah Hardin, Chloelynn Little, Rylee Love and Trinity Mickens graduated magna cum laude; and Gabe Baerreis, Tyler Davenport, Elsa Holland, Kain Jenkins, Isabella Jensen and Ariana Rivas graduated cum laude.
Principal Jason Forrister gave a welcoming address, where he thanked Tri-County Community College for letting them use the facility for graduation, as well as the Cherokee County Board of Education members who were on stage for the graduation.
He also gave an emotional speech to the students with one of his key points being, “When you hear about the downfall of ‘kids these days,’ prove them wrong.”
After he spoke, he welcomed 2024 TCEC Career & Technical Education honor graduate Isabella Jensen. After she spoke, Forrister welcomed Sebastian Clevez and Amanda Fleischer to speak. Clevez and Fleischer earned the right to speak because they had the highest grade point averages in their class.
During their speeches, they told stories from their time at the Early College, including how they endured the COVID-19 pandemic during their high school experience.
Shannon Raper, chair of the school board spoke before the Class of 2024 turned their tassels. They walked out as they were congratulated by teachers and staff.