Mid-year graduation is open to students who have gotten all of the credits that they need to be able to graduate a semester early. It helps students who want to get ahead in life and go to college or jump straight into the workforce. 53 students will be graduating in January. 

“I’m trying to get all my classwork done and I’m working so that I will be able to get my car. After graduation I want to become an entrepreneur and become a businessman,” said Elero Hendrix, senior.

Many seniors at Athens find this to be a bittersweet moment in their lives. High school is where many of their best memories come from and where they made many friendships along the way. Jumping into the unknown and taking that big step can be a scary moment, but having people to support you can make it less scary.

“Some of my favorite memories were having a fun time with my friends and going outside to play basketball,” said Jay Judd, senior.

Those students who are graduating early have the opportunity to get a jumpstart into life. Students like Judd are ready to leave high school behind and can gain a head start working on their careers. 

“I already have a business and I want to continue working on that. After that I want to move out of North Carolina,” said Judd.

With all their hard work and dedication, they are ready to close the doors of their high school experience. Even though they are leaving, more adventures and fun are coming.

“I’m just ready to get away from an environment that I’ve been in for so long,” said Judd.

Teachers are working hard to prepare their students for mid-year graduation. They are also working to ensure everything is prepared for the day those students walk the stage.

“I make sure that they order their cap and gown, that is the first and foremost that has to have it ordered before the winter break in December. Once they do that, I also give a graduation handbook that outlines what to expect for mid-year graduation as far as the practice and how graduation works,” said Christopher Remaley, senior adviser and teacher. 

There are a lot of things that go into planning graduation; it takes time and a lot of organization to be able to make it happen. Part of that is making sure that everything is in order so that everything goes smoothly.

“We have to get speakers that are on the platform to do the introduction, the welcome speech, and the pledge. We have to get a guy to get some flowers to decorate the stage. There’s a lot of little behind the scenes,” said Remaley.

Mid-year graduation is an important event for teachers, students, and their families. They are all ready to celebrate their achievements and all the hard work that those students have put in throughout the years.

“I’m just ready to see where life takes me. I’m hoping to achieve my goals and be successful,” said Hendrix.