James H. Groves Adult High School holds graduation
The James H. Groves Adult High School, Sussex Center, held its 48th annual commencement Aug. 15 in the gymnasium of Sussex Technical High School. Sussex Technical School District is one of the six out of the 19 school districts in the state that supports adult education.
Forty-eight graduates made up the largest graduating class of Groves students in the state so far this year. At the age of 73, Ken Chaires of Georgetown was recognized as the “senior most senior” in the class.
Dreama Baker, Chad LeCates and Gavin Martin gave graduation speeches. Baker, of Salisbury, Md. described each member of her class as a winner because “Winners get knocked down … but they don’t quit.” LeCates, of Seaford, thanked the Groves staff and his wife for their support. He urged his classmates, “Remember how it feels to complete this journey because our future is brighter now.”
Martin, of Milton, quit school in 1967 wanting only two things in life – a job and a car. He said he got both, but then he was drafted into military service. “What a wonderful blessing we have at Groves where there are people who care [about our success],” said the proud graduate.
Nancy Cirelli and Becky Brasure were recipients of the Distinguished Staff Awards. Cirelli works at Groves’ Lewes satellite site. She was honored for being able to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of each student and bring out their best for success. Cirelli gives her students confidence and self-assurance as a result of her encouraging words and assistance.
Brasure works as a paraprofessional at the Hickory Tree Housing Development satellite site in Selbyville. Students say she is always willing to sit down beside them and help them. Plus, she makes coming to class fun. The teachers appreciate Brasure being able to keep everyone grounded by giving them a realistic perspective on things.
Before the conferring of diplomas, several scholarships were awarded as follows: Doneisha Flowers of Ellendale received the OAASIS scholarship of $300; Dreama Baker of Salisbury, Md. was awarded the Ethel Cook Memorial Scholarship of $400; two $1,000 scholarships were awarded by the Sussex Tech Adult Division to Elizabeth Cutshaw of Seaford and April Cannon of Bridgeville; the $500 Principal’s Scholarship went to Denise Trammell of Seaford; and Jacob Absher of Georgetown was the recipient of the Rev. David Mulford Memorial Scholarship.
Congratulations to the 2012 Groves graduates: Jacob Absher, Georgetown; Christina Ambrose-Kaylor, Laurel; Elizabeth Andrews, Millsboro; Jerrell Anthony, Milford; Shannon Bailey, Seaford; Dreama Baker, Salisbury, Md.; Marco Bellosi, Harrington; Brooke Bonneville, Georgetown; Khadijah Breasure, Seaford; Michele Brittingham, Georgetown; Bradley Brown, Seaford; April Cannon, Bridgeville; Alexis Cannon-Willis, Bridgeville; Austin Carter, Rehoboth Beach; Kenneth Chaires, Georgetown; Bryce Cossey, Frankford; Elizabeth Cutshaw, Seaford; April Dennis, Seaford; Mindy Donaway, Millsboro; Brittany Dorman, Dagsboro; Sherayne Drummond, Millsboro; Tyler Fackler, Milford; Doneisha Flowers, Ellendale; Sarah Fooks, Bridgeville; Ann Hammond, Milford; Ashley Holmes, Georgetown; Leslie Johnson, Milton; Samantha Jordan, Harrington; Chad LeCates, Seaford; Gavin Martin, Milton; Jessica Martin, Georgetown; Rose Martinez, Seaford; Matthew McDavid, Rehoboth Beach; Mike Mohr, Bridgeville; Ardelia Parker, Seaford; Jelisa Pierce, Bridgeville; Tina Pusey, Seaford; Martha Seymore, Laurel; Kristina Smith, Seaford; Carl Stallings Jr., Lewes; Andy Sullivan, Ridgely, Md.; Shannon Swails, Georgetown; Helena Tharp, Seaford; Denise Trammell, Seaford; David Travis, Seaford; Afrika Whaley, Dover; Charles Williams, Ellendale; and Destany Zentmeyer, Georgetown.
