THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, August 17, 1996 TAG: 9608170272
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PHYLLIS SPEIDELL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 60 lines
When Donald Hill looked out over his audience Friday, he knew the determination and effort behind the students' summer school graduation.
Although he had gone on to earn bachelor's and master's degrees, he could relate to Charles A. Duck, who needed to retake senior English to earn a diploma from Lakeland High School, and to Dena Cox, who took the class to graduate from Smithfield High School.
Back in 1987, Hill did not walk with his graduating class of John Yeates High School; he lacked one history credit. After earning an A in summer school, Hill left for football practice at Virginia Union University - and missed another graduation ceremony.
Hill, now a middle school guidance counselor in Baltimore and a former assistant coach with the Baltimore Stallions, had words of caution as well as congratulations for the graduates.
``The world will not embrace you with open arms,'' he said. ``It may slap you instead.''
Urging them to continue their education, he said, ``All you have now is a foundation. . . . It is up to you to build on that foundation to be successful.''
Nansemond River High School's auditorium was filled with families and friends of 45 graduates from Smithfield, Surry, Windsor and Suffolk's Nansemond River and Lakeland.
Well-wishers cheered as the graduates, in a rainbow assortment of caps and gowns, strode to the stage to collect their diplomas.
Smiling over bouquets of balloons and roses, several of the graduates of the Suffolk Public Schools program were thrilled to have completed their high school courses a full year early.
Christina Liles, 16, who graduated from Nansemond River in three years, will have only a weekend off before starting classes Monday at Tidewater Community College.
``I just wanted to get out,'' Liles said. ``Anybody could do the same thing if they scheduled all classes instead of taking any study halls.''
Michael Cary, 17, a Nansemond River honor graduate, said, ``I did not want to waste a whole year here when I really only needed one course.'' He will attend Christopher Newport University this year.
Some graduates blamed too much fun for low senior-year grades while others, like Justin Stone, faced serious family problems. The sudden death of Stone's father affected both his family and school life, Stone said, but he was determined to finish his education at Smithfield High so he could qualify for an electrician's apprenticeship.
Hill, sitting on the stage with his his former high school principal and his high school football coach, had a final reminder for the gradates:
``Remember, you have an obligation to your community, to come back to your school and show them your progress.'' ILLUSTRATION: MICHAEL KESTNER\The Virginian-Pilot
Quatika Williams and Jason Webb were among 45 graduates from
Smthfield, Surry, Windsor and Suffolk high schools.
KEYWORDS: HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION SUFFOLK SCHOOLS by CNB