33 students earn GED certificates

Lee Dixon was happy to see the Grove Street School graduates live by the school’s motto, “reach for the stars and if you do that, you can achieve.”
“I am very proud of every one of them,” said Dixon, Principal of Grove Street nontraditional school. “Many of these students had lots of challenges ahead of them, but they still achieved their goal of graduating.”
Dixon and other Grove Street School staff watched 33 graduates receive their GED certificates on Wednesday in the Beechwood Elementary School gym. This year’s group was the largest graduate class in Grove Street history.
Dixon spoke uplifting words that the graduates could use to be successful men and women.
“You are responsible for the decisions that you make. Each day, you should ask yourselves what did you do to reach your goals. You all should dream and think big.”
Vicksburg Warren School District Superintendent Chad Shealy gave an encouraging speech to the graduates. He praised them for the milestone they reached.
“Adversity won’t necessarily build character, but it will reveal character. You all have been steadfast in enduring this test and completing the journey,” he said.
Shealy told the graduates he hopes the graduation is the first of many achievements in the students’ lives.
“This is only a step for you all. I pray that in the future, you can look back on this marker in your lives and be proud of your accomplishment,” he said.
Shealy encouraged the students to avoid negative influences and follow their dreams of being successful.
“Don’t let outside voices keep you from being who you want to be in life,” he said. “Be who you are because everyone else is taken. You guys should set your own goals and reach them.”