OIC grads receive diplomas

The Rocky Mount Opportunities Industrialization Center recently held 2009 commencement exercises in the historic Booker T. Washington auditorium.

A large number of GED graduates received their high school diplomas after completing the general requirements of the program, which is a long-running partnership between OIC and Edgecombe Community College.

Keynote speaker for the evening was Travis Murrain, a senior marketing major at N.C. State University, who delivered an inspiring message to the graduates that was centered around this year’s graduation theme, “Just the beginning of the path to our voices, visions, and victories.”

Music was performed by The Truth Tabernacle Ministries Choir.

Venisha Johnson earned class valedictorian status and during her address, she challenged her fellow graduates to: “Let your mind and hearts urge you on; follow the power of your will to lead you to your destination.”

Jasmine Fletcher was bestowed the salutatorian honor and encouraged those in attendance who were possibly trying to achieve a diploma not to give up on themselves even if they felt no one believed in them.

Lewis Culpepper was also honored as the student in the evening program with the highest average. Marques Harper was noted as having made a perfect score on his state science exam and is currently enrolling in ECC’s college transfer program to ultimately pursue an engineering degree.

For more information about the GED program and other training initiatives at the OIC, contact Keith Royal at 252-212-3477.