About 165 third graders at Gallberry Farm Elementary School recently lined the halls of the third-grade wing waving banners and cheering on former students who are set to graduate from Gray's Creek High School (GCHS) on Monday, June 5. GCHS Seniors Tinley Davis, Alexandra Garcia, Gerald Mason, Julia Norman and Xavier Stephens donned their caps and gowns and proudly rushed through the halls giving elementary schoolers high-fives while cherishing the moment. 

"This was bittersweet," said Norman. "It seemed so far away when I was little, but now that I'm here, it's like, wow, I really am here. And, this is the end of my journey ... kind of sad. But, I'm so excited, though, for my future. I have so many things in place, and I can't wait to go to college and experience college life."

Throughout their visit, Norman and her classmates helped inspire the younger students to graduate from high school and look toward attending college. These teens also helped officially kick off Cumberland County Schools' (CCS) 2023 Graduation Season, which runs from May 25 through June 7. During this time, thousands of seniors have plans to walk across the stage of the Cumberland County Crown Coliseum to receive their diplomas. 

However, these soon-to-be graduates realize that they didn't take this educational journey alone. CCS educators were always there, cheering them along the way. "It [being a student] was a lot of hard work," said Norman. "A lot of teachers were helping me and guiding me through ... just a lot of guidance. And, I'm glad I had that support here at Gallberry."

That was also the case for Stephens, who was able to pay a special surprise visit to his kindergarten teacher, Karen Odell. When he walked into the room, the two embraced with warm smiles and open arms as Odell's students, who were seated on the storytime carpet, looked on in amazement. "This is great seeing him," said Odell, as she beamed with pride and shook her head. "This is absolutely great!"

An observer could see the brief reunion as 'a full-circle moment' and as a stark reminder that Cumberland County Schools is capable of taking students from the kindergarten carpet to the college classroom and beyond! 

For information about Cumberland County Schools' 2023 Graduations, visit www.graduation.ccs.k12.nc.us.