Groves Adult High School holds 50th graduation ceremony
James H. Groves Adult High School’s Sussex Center, administered by the Sussex Technical School District, graduated 27 students at its 50th annual commencement Aug. 13 in the Sussex Tech gymnasium. Sussex Technical School District is one of six school districts in the state that supports adult education.
U.S. Sen. Chris Coons gave the commencement address and recognized several graduates including Shemeika Jones, mother of five, who works full-time from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. and attends class two evenings per week; and Chris Fernandez, who attended more hours than any other graduate this year. Fernandez attended school four mornings, afternoons, and evenings per week in order to achieve his diploma. He is planning on serving in the military.
The audience heard from student speaker Chanteea Harmon, who shared her vision of marching across the stage to receive her diploma and giving the commencement speech when she first joined the program in the fall. Her dream came true during the ceremony.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the James H. Groves graduation, several past Groves graduates and current Groves students attended and were recognized during the ceremony by Sussex Technical School District Superintendent Dr. A.J. Lathbury.
Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, presented Lathbury and Principal Terri Corder with a proclamation from the Delaware Senate commending James H. Groves Adult High School on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. Fellow legislators Sen. Gary Simpson, R-Milford; Rep. David Wilson, R-Bridgeville; Rep. Ruth Briggs King, R-Georgetown; and Rep. Ronald Gray, R-Selbyville, were also in attendance to help celebrate the 50th anniversary graduating class of James H. Groves High School.
Janine Reed was the recipient of the Distinguished Staff Award. Reed teaches in the English as a Second Language program two nights per week at Sussex Tech. In recognizing Reed, it was noted that she always makes her instruction engaging, including her use of the Smartboard and iPad technology.
Before conferring of diplomas, several scholarships were awarded as follows: Brooke Johnson of Milford received the OAASIS scholarship of $200; Jean Elien of Seaford was awarded the Ethel Cook Memorial Scholarship of $400; two $1,000 scholarships were awarded by the Sussex Tech Adult Division to Chanteea Harmon of Millsboro and John Ball Kinsler of Georgetown; the $500 Principal’s Scholarship went to Shemeika Jones of Laurel; and Maria Sandoval of Lincoln was the recipient of the $500 Rev. David Mulford Memorial Scholarship.
Congratulations to the 2014 Groves graduates: Dalton Allen, Milford; Kenia Alonzo, Dagsboro; Akeem Badger, Ellendale; John Ball Kinsler, Georgetown; Bryan Bishop, Lewes; Morgan Brower, Ellendale; Shane Caldwell, Ocean View; Joshua Davis, Seaford; Jean Elien, Seaford; Jose Escalante Agustin, Georgetown; Christopher Fernandez, Ellendale; Chanateea Harmon, Millsboro; Emily Hassman, Greenwood; Genaro Jimenez-Aboytes, Milford; Brooke Johnson, Milford; Shemieka Jones, Laurel; Meghan Kersey, Milford; Jenna Mason, Lewes; Sherry Michie, Bridgeville; Kevin Minnich, Greenwood; Sadie Pusey, Seaford; Alisha Rivera, Bridgeville; Maria Sandoval Ramirez, Lincoln; Samuel Upshur, Millsboro; Kenneth Warchol, Frankford; Sam Willard, Lewes; and Samantha Wilson, Millsboro.
