2011 Graduation: Flexibility of Evening School Allows 90 Students to Graduate

It was victory at last for the 70 evening high school seniors who participated in Thursday night’s graduation ceremony at

These students were among 90 of the 2011 graduating class from five Anne Arundel County high schools who chose an alternative path to earning their diplomas. The evening high school program currently has more than 1,000 county students.

There were balloons and flowers, families snapping photos and snacks and refreshments set up in the cafeteria for the families, friends and school administrators who came out to congratulate students on an enormous achievement—finishing high school and getting a diploma.

Many students, like Steven Tenney of Severna Park, who attended CAT South up to his senior year, preferred working over attending classes during the day. Evening school allowed him to do both successfully, said his mother Margaret Tenney.

This graduation ceremony, unlike others being held throughout the county this time of year, holds a special meaning for these seniors, many of whom overcame great struggles to achieve a high school education.

“This [ceremony] validates years of hard work, distractions and obstacles to overcome,” Solon Webb, a member of the Board of Education, said to the audience.

Five students from each school—Severna Park, South River, , Annapolis and Meade—joined evening school Principal Nelson Horine, school administrators and Board of Education staff on stage to speak on "What My Diploma Means to Me."

Their words and stories, spoke of a sometimes difficult path that led to the conclusion of their high school years and reflected the similar experiences of their peers sitting in the audience, dressed with cap and gowns.

Michael Lee Wallace from Annapolis High shared a glimpse into his life.

"We have truly achieved," he said. "I've made sense of the roadblocks I've faced in my life. Thanks for being behind me," he said, motioning to his family and friends in the audience who cheered enthusiastically.

He also praised the evening school administrators for keeping him on track.

Jordon Morris Bair of Glen Burnie High reflected on his past, moving to Maryland from North Carolina, and being taken in by his former girlfriend’s family.

"Everything happens for a reason," was his message along with, "You can always do what you put your mind to."

Trebor Mitchelle of Meade High School said for him, getting through school was "about not giving up and facing challenges head-on."

Bridgette Dorsey, a Northeast High graduate, was among students who took evening classes to make up work, enabling her to attend the daytime North East graduation ceremony with her senior class, also held Thursday.

Brittney Shane Creek of South River High School thanked her evening school administrator, Roddy Jablonski, for the hugs along the way and pushing her to finish.

"They've overcome many hurdles to get here," Jablonski said. "I commend them for their dedication and determination."

Truly a "working class," most evening school students hold full- or part-time jobs, or multiple jobs, while carrying the adult responsibility of helping their families with financial burdens or helping to support their own children.

Lindsey Greenwalt has attended Glen Burnie Evening High School for the past three years. She said the evening school hours were a must in allowing her to raise her 9-month-old daughter, Braelynn.

"It has allowed me to care for her [during the day]," Greenwalt said.

Evening school offers many students the flexibility they need in their schedules.

"The important thing is giving them the opportunity to succeed," Horine said. "It's a good class. The interesting thing is they all had problems, our job is to help them through those problems. Every class is a challenge, it makes it worthwhile."

Michael Collison of South River was joined by his mother, Kelley; grandmother, Martha Collison; and girlfriend, Sara Giuliani. He said he was excited to have his family together for the ceremony and a summer of helping his grandmother with yard work.

He said he will be looking into joining the service in the fall.

This year's graduating class brings the 45-year total number to 2,712 graduates, Horine said. Each student will receive a DVD and pictures of the ceremony to have as a keepsake.