
Perseverance
and
determination
paid
off
for
students
who
received
their
high
school
diplomas
and
certificates
at
the
PWCS
Adult
Education
and
Summer
School
graduation
ceremony
held
recently.
Their
accomplishment
is
a
testament
that
PWCS
programs
are
a
launch
pad
for
anyone
who
is
willing
to
persevere.
The
commencement
ceremony
was
held
at
Gar-Field
High
School
and
included
student
graduates
of
the
Division's
16/17-year-old
GED/ISAEP,
National
External
Diploma,
Adult
Education,
and
Summer
School
Programs.
Emotions
ran
especially
high
this
year
as
the
more
than
200
graduates
prepared
to
cross
the
stage
and
turn
the
tassels
on
their
caps.
To
the
standard
academic
challenges
of
most,
these
students
add
complicated
life
circumstances
or
the
hard-fought
discovery
that
they
learn
better
in
less
traditional
settings
to
reach
this
triumphant
event.
Add
to
that
the
challenges
that
the
pandemic
brought
with
it,
and
it
becomes
evident
theses
students'
personal
stories
reflect
a
firm
commitment
to
overcome
diversity
and
succeed.
In
her
first
commencement
address
as
PWCS
Superintendent
of
Schools,
Dr.
LaTanya
D.
McDade
underscored
the
message
that
challenges
are
surmountable
with
perseverance
and
that
continued
learning,
pushing
your
boundaries,
and
looking
out
for
yourself
and
others
will
help
you
achieve
your
dreams.
"I
am
very
excited
to
congratulate
you
and
be
a
part
of
this
once-in-a-lifetime
send
off,"
she
said.
"You
should
be
commended
on
pushing
through
this
very
difficult
time
to
achieve
this
important
milestone
and
I
am
also
very
aware
that
this
pandemic
may
not
have
been
the
only
challenge
for
you.
But
no
matter
the
challenges,
you
are
here.
I
applaud
all
of
you
for
that
self-advocacy
and
perseverance
and
hope
you
will
continue
to
flex
those
muscles
as
you
navigate
the
next
chapter
of
your
lives."