Teens complete education in summer

Delilah Jones readily acknowledged that finishing high school provided a personal challenge for her.

She had a baby a year ago but was able to attend Aiken High last fall. Jones still needed additional credits to graduate and went to summer school to get them.

On Wednesday, she donned a cap and gown for the graduation ceremony at North Augusta High, marching to the cheers from a large contingent of family members. Clearly, her accomplishment was a cause for celebration for all of them. Jones was embraced by her grandmother, who promptly burst into joyful tears.

"It's been a struggle, but it was very important for me to finish school," said Jones, who plans to enroll at Aiken Technical College to study nursing. "I'm the first in my family to graduate, and I can't explain how much this means to me. I'm doing this for them and my son."

Fifteen students were eligible to march in the summer school graduation ceremony and 13 participated - the lowest number in recent years. About 60 students marched two years ago and about 30 in 2009, said Collette Johnson, a North Augusta High assistant principal and the summer program director at the school. In general, enrollment was down at North Augusta High and at Aiken High, which was directed by Assistant Principal Laura Bacon.

Some students may have participated in virtual school settings or for younger students, in credit recovery programs, Johnson said. Those who earn enough units to graduate via virtual school must apply to their home school and demonstrate they have completed requirements before the school will apply for the diploma. Some students could not afford to pay for summer school and will return to their schools in August.

"There are also some kids who haven't completed their (summer) classes yet," Johnson said. "They will have until next week to do so and get their diplomas. We're pushing those kids to finish the coursework."

Superintendent Dr. Beth Everitt said the district will look further into the low summer school numbers.

"We want those kids who need just a few courses to go ahead and take them and graduate," she said. "If they don't, they're less likely to start again next year."

Everitt was impressed with the number of family members and friends who did come out to support the graduates.

Denzel Harley also got a lot of hugs from family members. He was disappointed that he didn't march with his Ridge Spring-Monetta High classmates in early June, "but I was determined to graduate this year and get that diploma."

Bacon was happy for all of the graduates, including Jones, one of her students from Aiken High.

"This is something she wanted," Bacon said. "With so many members of her family here rooting her on, she's one of those who are going to be OK. And so will her son."

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.