Have a career, don’t always be looking for a job, those are the words of advice Kent Wagner had for his son, Brody, as the 18-year-old graduated Saturday from Neelyville High School.
He always has advice for his children, said the elder Wagner, who was feeling the emotion of having his third and last one cross the stage.
“Have a path. Have a goal,” is the guidance he hoped Brody would take away.
The younger Wagner was one of 11 students in the school’s A+ Program to earn $110,000 in scholarships, which will pay for each student to attend two years of community college or trade school. He was also recognized for earning National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence certification while in high school.
Wagner will attend Three Rivers College next year on his way to a career in occupational therapy while working at WW Wood.
Classmate Jasmine Brawner will take a different path, joining the National Guard.
Her daughter wants to honor the memory of a grandfather who also served in the military, said mother Nicky Kelley of Qulin. Kelley awaited the start of the ceremony with excitement, ready to watch her first child graduate.
It was an emotional day for many of the parents, including NHS Principal Justin Dobbins, whose daughter, Delayni, was among the honor graduations.
Like all of the parents, he also had words for his child, telling her, “You are a warrior and an angel all wrapped up in one, determined with the heart of a lion. That makes me very proud. I love you.”
For all of the Class of 2024, Dobbins shared, “Small-mindedness is the killer of big dreams.”
“I encourage each of you to find a path you want to do, not what you have to do,” he told the 33 seniors. “You’re going to impact this world whether you want to or not. It’s up to you what kind of impact that is.”
Through the students’ hard work, they have already earned more than $387,000 in scholarships, school officials said during the ceremony.
One of the programs that has helped prepare students for college, trade school, the military or a career is JAG. Jobs for America’s Graduates is a program that has been in the district for the past three years, but has been active nationwide for 40 years, shared educator Shannon Davis. Brawner was among the 11 graduating students who participated in the program.
“In this program, we work with talented students who have grit and a hunger to succeed and become productive citizens,” said Davis, becoming emotional as she shared that she had the students in sixth grade and now as seniors. “It’s been a wonderful experience to watch you grow and mature.”
A graduation photo gallery can be viewed here: https://www.darnews.com/gallery/43679
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