Graduation Just Around Corner

Later this month, nearly 9,000 Gwinnett County Public School (GCPS) students will don caps and gowns as they conclude their K-12 academic careers.

According to GCPS, 8,921 students are expected to graduate from Gwinnett’s 20 high schools.

Valedictorian and salutatorian for Berkmar High School are as follows:

• Destiny August Cobb, Valedictorian
• Dina Hassan, Salutatorian

The graduation ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 28, 8 a.m. at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth. 

Valedictorian and salutatorian for Parkview High School are as follows:

• Tianqi Wu, Valedictorian
• Kurt Slawitschka, Salutatorian

The graduation ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 27 at 8 p.m. at Parkview High Stadium. 

“As a district, we take pride in the Class of 2011 and all that they have accomplished,” said CEO/Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks in a released statement. “In addition to recognizing our graduates, I also want to congratulate the parents and teachers who helped support these students throughout their academic careers. And as they move on to achieve their dreams, we all realize that graduation is not the end for these students … only the beginning.”

GCPS reports that 88 percent of students graduating this year plan to continue their education by attending college or postsecondary schools. As of April 2011, these students have been offered more than $108 million in academic, athletic and military scholarships. Of that amount, more than $75 million was earned for academic achievement (not including the HOPE, Broad or Gates Millennium scholarships).

Over half of GCPS graduating seniors will begin their college careers with credits gained from participating in Advanced Placement courses. These students completed a total of 13,089 AP courses.

This year’s senior class also includes 1,905 honor graduates, who are graduating with a grade percent average of 90 or better.