Goose Creek Resident Walks in James Madison High School Graduation Ceremony

Online education leader hosts annual commencement exercises

PEACHTREE CORNERS, Georgia – August 9, 2012 – James Madison High School (http://www.jmhs.com/) and parent school Ashworth College welcomed a record 1,400 plus graduates, faculty, family and friends to the Cobb Energy Centre in Atlanta, GA for its 2012 graduation ceremony on Saturday, August 4. Among the 372 graduates, 129 represented the online high school.

This year’s graduates included Goose Creek, SC resident Kristina Ingram who was recognized for completing an online high school diploma program. Graduates taking part in the ceremony traveled from 36 states, three Canadian Provinces and the Caribbean.

Rob Klapper, President of James Madison High School and Ashworth College opened the ceremony by welcoming graduates, guests, faculty, administration and staff -- the largest live ceremony the online school has hosted to date. Mark Greenwald, former Olympic athlete and currently Executive Director for US Speedskating, delivered this year’s commencement address.

“Distance Education requires a lot of drive, perseverance, discipline, and focus -- clearly you have all demonstrated this,” said Klapper in his opening speech. “These are all important traits in school and in life, so you can be incredibly proud of what you have accomplished and know that it signifies a major recognized and accredited accomplishment.”

Klapper went on to acknowledge military servicemembers, military spouses and veterans in the assembly. Also among the graduates was a couple celebrating their 25^th wedding anniversary, a father/son pair who both received high school diplomas, and a mother/daughter duo receiving their bachelor’s and associate degrees. Two additional graduates, one an 80 year old graduate and the other visually impaired, both received spontaneous standing ovations when they received their career diplomas.

“Not only does attending a live graduation ceremony honor a long-standing tradition shared by students worldwide, for Ashworth grads it has special significance,” Klapper added. “The average Ashworth student completes their education online, from home, without stepping foot in a classroom.”

About Ashworth College and James Madison High School

Celebrating 25 years of Educating Minds and Changing Lives, leading online school Ashworth College has built a tradition of excellence by offering students worldwide an extensive range of online college degrees, online certificate programs, career training and online high school diploma options that are affordable and fit the busy schedules of working adults. Ashworth offers military education as well as specialized programs for corporate partners and homeschoolers.

Headquartered in Peachtree Corners, GA, Ashworth is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The Accrediting Commission of the DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Ashworth is parent to James Madison High School which is accredited regionally by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), an accreditation division of AdvancED and further provides career training and vocational programs in the fields of health, business, technology, education, and skilled trades through sister schools PCDI Canada, New York Institute of Photography and Sheffield School.