BY BRANDY TEMPLETON

Northview Academy held its graduation ceremony on Friday at Statesville High’s Mac Gray Auditorium.

A total of 42 students graduated, and class member Zion Wilder was honored posthumously.

Mark Vaughn, coordinator of alternative learning school, spoke about the importance of celebrating. He asked the graduates to forget about the world’s negativity for a moment.

“This is just your next beginning, push yourself, and don’t settle for okay,” he said.

Guest speaker Chris Prysock, a school improvement coach, also encouraged the graduates, sharing advice.

“Life is a journey, and the journey is all yours,” he said. “Dream big and go after your dreams aggressively — because if you don’t, somebody else will.”

Prysock spoke about challenges, and did not sugar-coat what’s awaiting the graduates in the adult world.

“Life will punch you in the mouth and let you know you suck at something. It is what it is,” he shared.

Prysock encouraged the students to “work hard, find passion, show up everyday, be real with yourself, be teachable, define their own success, and have goals.”

He concluded by telling the students to celebrate, but “don’t celebrate too long, because life is coming.”

Student speaker, Cha-Nye Sanders said “it feels like 20 years ago since I was a freshman.” She applauded her classmates for all of their hard work and dedication.

“We pushed ourselves to achieve our goals,” Sanders said, thanking all those who supported the students during their academic journeys.

She quoted her teacher Ms. Burns, saying, “There are no bad students, just stories and reasons.”

“This is our new beginning, a chance to start fresh. A little bit of kindness goes a long way,” Sanders said. “We are all capable of greatness.”

Principal Eric Babbitt closed by quoting rapper Jay-Z and pronounced the students graduates of Northview Academy.

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