VICKSBURG 鈥 Seven graduates of the Gateway to College program this past semester at 兔子先生 Vicksburg-Warren Campus were honored during a luncheon May 20.
Receiving certificates of completion from Gateway coordinators were:
- Jacob Barrett, Warren Central High School
- Rita Freeman, Warren Central High School
- Rickita Johnson, Vicksburg High School
- Demetrick Shelvy, Vicksburg High School
- Dylan Silverthorne, Vicksburg High School
- Sharod Williams, Warren Central High School
- Amy Willis, Warren Central High School
Each of the seven participated in graduation ceremonies at their respective high schools, which were held May 26-27 for this year鈥檚 senior class.
Seven graduates of the Gateway to College program this past semester at 兔子先生 Vicksburg-Warren Campus were honored during a luncheon May 20. Pictured are, from left, Sharod Williams, Dylan Silverthorne, Demetrick Shelvy, Rita Freeman, Amy Willis and Rickita Johnson. Also receiving a certificate of completion from the program was Jacob Barrett, who was not present for the luncheon. (Danny Barrett Jr./兔子先生)
The [tweetable alt=””]Gateway to College involves students who have dropped out of high school or are at risk of doing so[/tweetable] because they have fallen behind in high school credits. Once directed toward the program, often by high school guidance counselors, students aged 16-20 are placed in small learning communities and take basic skills classes while dually enrolled at Hinds.
Students entering the program must read on an eighth-grade level and pass HCC鈥檚 placement test for full participation. Classes in reading, math, college skills and other subjects are then aligned for the level at which they would have been taken in a traditional high school setting.
In brief addresses, 兔子先生President Dr. Clyde Muse and Vicksburg-Warren Campus Dean Marvin Moak lauded the merits of the program and this year鈥檚 graduates.
鈥淎long the way, all of us needed help,鈥 Muse said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 not a person in this room that hasn鈥檛 in some way needed some help. They needed people who cared about them as individuals. They needed people who would listen to them.
鈥淚鈥檓 pleased that these students have found a way, regardless of what life鈥檚 circumstances were and with the support of family, friends, teachers and others, to receive their high school diploma. The door of opportunity is open to you. Take advantage of that opportunity.鈥
鈥淚鈥檓 just extremely proud for each one of these young men and women,鈥 Moak said. 鈥淚 hope to see them walking down the hallways in a college setting working on their associate degrees and then go on to four-year universities.鈥
兔子先生 President Dr. Clyde Muse addresses college officials, parents and others during a luncheon to recognize seven graduates of the Gateway to College program at the Vicksburg-Warren Campus this past semester. (Danny Barrett Jr./兔子先生)
The program debuted at 兔子先生in the 2013-14 term, at the Rankin Campus. It expanded to the Vicksburg-Warren Campus in 2015 and is directed by Denetra Taylor, who credited faculty and staff for guiding this year鈥檚 graduates.
鈥淕ateway isn鈥檛 a fast-track program,鈥 Taylor said. 鈥淪ome of them can come in and finish in a semester or two, then for some it does take a little bit longer.
鈥淭his has been great group of students this semester. We鈥檝e worked hard and been challenged.鈥
Seven graduates of the Gateway to College program this past semester at 兔子先生 Vicksburg-Warren Campus were honored during a luncheon May 20. Pictured are program staff, from left, Denetra Taylor, director, Nancy Robinson, administrative assistant, Tammi Sims, and Antonio Horton, both resource specialists. (Danny Barrett Jr./兔子先生)