In a city where perseverance is often tested, hope and achievement will take center stage on Friday, September 27, 2024. The Baltimore Excel Center will celebrate its inaugural commencement ceremony, marking a significant milestone not just for the adult high school, but for the entire campus community.
For the 19 graduates, this day represents the culmination of a journey that began only a year ago when the Excel Center first opened its doors and welcomed them. These students, all of different backgrounds, ages, and life experiences, share a united goal: to earn their high school diplomas and pave the way to a brighter future.
The Excel Center is not your typical high school. It’s a place where students are offered a second chance — a chance to rewrite their stories and redefine their futures. Many of these graduates have faced daunting challenges, from financial struggles to family obligations, that made completing high school seem like an impossible dream. Yet, with determination, hard work and the support of the dedicated staff at the Excel Center, these individuals have defied the odds.
“This graduation is not just a ceremony. It’s a celebration of resilience and the power of community support,” said Sherry DiFrancisci, Director of the Baltimore Excel Center. “Each of our graduates has a unique story of overcoming obstacles, and their success is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.”
The graduation ceremony, which will be held at the University of Maryland Baltimore Campus Center, promises to be an emotional and inspiring event. Families, friends, and community leaders will gather to honor the graduates’ remarkable achievements. For many of them, this diploma is more than just a piece of paper; it is a key to unlocking future potential.
Shamar Rice, a 22-year-old aspiring actor, faced bullying and motivational challenges in high school, leading him to drop out three times. But the Excel Center provided him with the supportive and nurturing environment he needed to finally break the cycle.
“I dropped out in ninth grade, tenth grade, and eleventh grade. I went back but I never finished. That stops now,” he said. Shamar has been accepted to the AMDA College of Performing Arts in Los Angeles and his Excel Center diploma will enable him to pursue his dream of higher education.
It was important for Trimiea Cannady to be a role model for her three children. While she admits her pride kept her from going back to school in the past, that all changed with motherhood. “It’s time for Mom to get her stuff together and be a role model for my kids,” she said.
The Excel Center’s comprehensive approach includes not only academic instruction but also career and life coaching, helping students plan for a future filled with opportunities. Some graduates plan to continue their education at community colleges or trade schools, while others are eager to enter the workforce with a renewed sense of purpose and confidence.
As the Excel Center prepares to send off its first graduating class, the sense of pride and accomplishment is palpable. This inaugural commencement is not just a reflection of the hard work of the students, but also of the vision and dedication of Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake in creating a program that addresses a critical need in the community.
As these 19 graduates prepare to walk across the stage, they carry with them not only the weight of their past struggles but also the promise of a brighter future. They are living proof that the Baltimore Excel Center isn’t just a school. It’s a transformative force in the lives of its students.
