Fort Wayne Community Schools holds continuing education graduation; graduates share stories of resilience
March 05, 2026 | Fort Wayne Community Schools, School Boards, Indiana
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Fort Wayne Community Schools held a continuing education graduation ceremony that featured student speeches, diploma presentations, and awards recognizing adult learners.
The ceremony opened with a welcome and the Pledge of Allegiance read by the master of ceremonies (speaker S1), who also read remarks from Dr. Shanita Bolton, chief of family, community engagement, and schools of success, who was unable to attend but sent a message praising graduates’ determination and lifelong learning.
Graduates were called row by row to receive diplomas. Michelle Henderson, who identified herself and said she received her high school equivalency diploma in May 2025, described leaving high school as a teen, returning to education with support from her pastor and the Anthos program, and enrolling at Ivy Tech for early childhood development. "I never thought that this was possible for me," Henderson said, thanking her pastor, family members, and the program staff.
Bea Luna Medina, another graduate speaker, recounted moving from Mexico, working to improve her English through the Anthos HSE program, and credited teachers and classmates for patience and support. She said completing the program has given her confidence to pursue further education and projects.
Jordan Alexander Raymond said he dropped out of high school amid unstable circumstances, later enrolled at Anthos Career Center’s HSE program, and credited staff for helping him commit to and complete the program; he noted the next step includes attending Saint Francis and Ivy Tech.
The ceremony included several program awards: the James Davis Award (given to Maria Franco), the Jo Beth Chambers and Scott Sowers Positive Attitude Awards (given to Vicki Reimer and Derek Talbert), and the high honors award (given to Desmond Boutier). Organizers led the traditional turning of tassels and recessed graduates to exit for post-ceremony congratulations.
The event was primarily ceremonial and celebratory; it did not include formal votes, policy discussion, or civic action items requiring public reporting.
The ceremony opened with a welcome and the Pledge of Allegiance read by the master of ceremonies (speaker S1), who also read remarks from Dr. Shanita Bolton, chief of family, community engagement, and schools of success, who was unable to attend but sent a message praising graduates’ determination and lifelong learning.
Graduates were called row by row to receive diplomas. Michelle Henderson, who identified herself and said she received her high school equivalency diploma in May 2025, described leaving high school as a teen, returning to education with support from her pastor and the Anthos program, and enrolling at Ivy Tech for early childhood development. "I never thought that this was possible for me," Henderson said, thanking her pastor, family members, and the program staff.
Bea Luna Medina, another graduate speaker, recounted moving from Mexico, working to improve her English through the Anthos HSE program, and credited teachers and classmates for patience and support. She said completing the program has given her confidence to pursue further education and projects.
Jordan Alexander Raymond said he dropped out of high school amid unstable circumstances, later enrolled at Anthos Career Center’s HSE program, and credited staff for helping him commit to and complete the program; he noted the next step includes attending Saint Francis and Ivy Tech.
The ceremony included several program awards: the James Davis Award (given to Maria Franco), the Jo Beth Chambers and Scott Sowers Positive Attitude Awards (given to Vicki Reimer and Derek Talbert), and the high honors award (given to Desmond Boutier). Organizers led the traditional turning of tassels and recessed graduates to exit for post-ceremony congratulations.
The event was primarily ceremonial and celebratory; it did not include formal votes, policy discussion, or civic action items requiring public reporting.
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