Graduates turn focus to future

Egecombe Early College High School graduate Sherer Etheridge sacrificed her summers so she could finish high school with two college degrees on top of her diploma.

Etheridge was part of what she said was a record-setting class that graduated from the school with more combined college credits than any previous class. Her persistence paid off when she graduated with an associate degree in science and an associate degree in arts from Edgecombe Community College. The school’s valedictorian, Etheridge said she plans to continue her schooling to eventually become a pediatrician.

“I spent many summers working while friends were doing things. I’d take three or four college classes in the summer,” Etheridge said. “It felt really big to do this out of high school. It was tough, but it’s worth it now, looking back on it.”

Edgecombe County Public Schools’ Class of 2009 has about 450 graduates, and many in the group said they feel accomplished and ready for the change that comes with finishing high school.

Early College graduate Tianna Harrison said she chose the school to get an advance on her education. She said it was more challenging because she couldn’t wait to finish an assignment like she might have at a traditional high school. Harrison graduated a few credits shy of an associate degree, but she said she felt very accomplished for her age.

“I enjoyed being able to interact with the college students and learning things on different levels,” Harrison said. “College courses were more challenging because you really couldn’t procrastinate. As long as you kept up, it was OK.”

She said the Class of 2009 is an accomplished group with “big goals.” She plans to attend the University of North Carolina-Charlotte to major in communications.

“We all feel like we’re going somewhere in life,” Harrison said.

SouthWest Edgecombe High School graduate Kelly Abrams said her most memorable experience was winning the CANAM National Championship with the school’s varsity cheerleading squad. Abrams said she also found her calling – taking care of people – by taking a certified nursing assistant course and interning in a nursing home. Now she’s planning to attend East Carolina University to become a registered nurse with a scholarship from the N.C. Nurse Scholars Program.

“I’m ready to start a new experience,” Abrams said.

For Kenaya Pitt, her first three years at SouthWest Edgecombe High flew by. When it came to this final year, she said things started to go slow. Now that she’s graduated, Pitt said she’ll miss some of her teachers and the comfortable learning environment. Pitt was involved in a number of extracurricular activities including cheerleading and track. She said she’s looking forward to the next chapter in her life – working toward becoming a high school English teacher. Pitt plans to attend Winston-Salem State University to major in education and minor in business.

“Everyone was determined to get away and do different things. One person wants to be a teacher. One wants to be a lawyer. We have a lot of engineers and doctors,” Pitt said. “Mainly everyone will try to be successful.”

Tarboro High School valedictorian John Davidson said he saw some “good changes” in his school while he was there – namely the 1:1 Laptop Initiative that paired each student with a computer. Davidson ran cross country and was on the men’s tennis team. He also participated in the Environmental Awareness Club and National Honor Society. He plans to attend Wake Forest University to major in biology and eventually hopes to become a physician. Davidson said he’s sad to leave his friends, but ready for the change.

“There were a lot of changes over the years, but most were for the good,” Davidson said.

Twin sisters Keosha Draughn and Meosha Draughn hit another milestone together, graduating this week from North Edgecombe High School. They said the attention they received as identical twins made them popular in high school and allowed them to make a lot of friends. They were both cheerleaders and were involved in a number of school clubs. They plan to attend N.C. Central University in the fall but have different career goals.