蘑菇tv

蘑菇tv鈥檚 Transitional Studies program recognized 22 graduates during its 2026 graduation ceremony held June 4. The ceremony celebrated students whose paths to completion reflected flexibility and persistence. Veronica Powell,听Associate听Dean of Transitional Studies and Prison Education, welcomed the audience and said removing obstacles to education听remained听a priority for the program.听

Several students completed coursework at off-campus sites closer to where they live, helping reduce transportation challenges that听often prevented听participation.听听

鈥淓liminating barriers that would hinder our students is a priority for us,鈥� Powell said.听

Classes were offered at community locations including Men and Women United for Youth and Family in Delco, Fair Bluff Fire and Rescue in Fair Bluff and Grace Fellowship Church in Tabor City.听The graduating class also included students enrolled in Basic Skills Plus, who earned both a high school equivalency diploma and a workforce credential.听

鈥淲e are especially proud of our Basic Skills Plus students who not only received their high school equivalency diploma but also earned credentials in areas such as welding, heavy equipment, early childhood and听Nurse Aide I,鈥� Powell said.听听

Earning a high school equivalency diploma expanded opportunities for graduates in Columbus County. According to听MyFutureNC, 12.3% of county residents ages 25鈥�44 have less than a high school diploma, limiting job options and earning potential.听听

鈥淢any employers require a high school diploma or equivalent as a minimum qualification, and earning this credential allows our students access to higher-paying jobs and college or training programs,鈥� Powell explained.听

Larry Everette, Transitional Studies听Recruiter and听High听School听Equivalency听Examiner, said perseverance defined this year鈥檚 graduates.听听

鈥淲hat I鈥檓 most proud of is that they didn鈥檛 quit,鈥� Everette said.听听

He explained that many students balanced jobs,听families听and transportation challenges while continuing to attend class and work toward completion.听Everette said a high school equivalency diploma helped students move forward in both employment and education.听听

鈥淎 high school equivalency diploma can open a lot of doors,鈥� he said.听听

Graduates completed the听HiSET听exam, which tested skills in reading, writing, math,听science听and social studies, and prepared through Transitional Studies classes and practice testing.听

Cheri Phillips-Barkley,听Career听Coach for Transitional Studies and Basic Skills Plus, said she was proud of听students for听returning to education as adults while balancing work,听family听and financial responsibilities. She explained that many students faced limited time and self-doubt after being out of school for years, making the decision to return especially challenging. Phillips-Barkley said staff focused on helping students听manage both听academic and life demands.听

鈥淭hese students didn鈥檛 just pass a test,鈥� Phillips-Barkley said. 鈥淭hey showed up every day while managing adult responsibilities, and they proved to themselves that they were capable of more.鈥�听

Phillips-Barkley said completing the听HiSET听often served as a turning point for graduates, especially those dually enrolled in Basic Skills Plus. She explained that earning the credential opened pathways to college programs, technical听training听and employment opportunities. After graduation, she worked with students to explore degree programs, workforce听training听or job placement through听NCWorks听Career Center.听

Keniah Nevadia Williams was named valedictorian, and Tyree Montkeith Lewis was named salutatorian of the Transitional Studies class of 2026. Corbett Lovett served as听piano听accompanist for the 鈥淧omp and Circumstance鈥� processional, and Caleb McAllister performed the National Anthem on trumpet. Transitional Studies听Instructor Warren McClelland delivered the invocation.听Tabor City School Beta Club served as graduation marshals.听

Dr. Brandon Jenkins, 蘑菇tv听Executive听Vice听President and听Chief听Academic听Officer, delivered opening remarks. Ibreta Jackson,听Vice听President of听Administrative听Services and听Chief听Operating听Officer, introduced the keynote speaker. Former Transitional Studies graduate Alyssa Willoughby delivered the keynote address.听

Graduates received diplomas from Angie Ransom,听Associate听Vice听President of听Education and听Training, and 蘑菇tv President Dr. Chris English. Terrie Priest,听Executive听Director of the 蘑菇tv Foundation, made a special presentation of an engraved brick dedicated to the Transitional Studies class of 2026 for the Chadbourn Bell Pavilion. English officially declared the听students听graduates and asked them to turn their tassels, and the ceremony concluded with a reception in the 蘑菇tv auditorium lobby.听

Ready to earn your High School Equivalency diploma at 蘑菇tv? Call 910-788-6247听to get started!听听