Posted by Haley Lacuesta on 1/29/2025 1:00:00 PM
More than 50 students from our school system will proudly cross the finish line of their high school journeys at the 2025 Winter Graduation ceremony. On Thursday, January 30, graduates will join friends and family for commencement exercises at the George P. Butler Comprehensive High School gymnasium.
To celebrate their successes and achievements, we asked a few graduates about their favorite memories and experiences. Here are their stories:
KaZaria Moss, Butler Comprehensive High School, Reaching Potential Through Manufacturing (RPM)
KaZaria Moss is proudly graduating early after a year of dedication in the classroom and on the work floor of the Reaching Potential Through Manufacturing (RPM) program. While at RPM, Moss took classes while working a part-time job with Textron Specialized Vehicles, gaining valuable work experience by the end of her high school career.
“Graduation will be my most memorable moment in high school,” said Moss. “I’ve been through a lot in my life, and I still managed to graduate early.” Moss worked hard to set herself up for success after graduation, volunteering for extra shifts at RPM in the summer and raising her grades in the classroom, an accomplishment she is particularly proud of in her academic career.
Moss says that the support she received from the teachers played a significant role in her success, giving her support, helping her with her schoolwork, and allowing her to vent when she needed it. She says her teachers, Ms. Coleman, and Ms. Liz, had the biggest influence on her during her time in school. “I would choose those two because they have really big hearts, and they really helped me out a lot.”
Moss advises other students coming into the RPM to come in with the right mindset. She said, “Make sure you stay on top of your grades and on the work floor. Don’t miss a lot of days, and don’t do anything that will get you in trouble. That’s not how we do things here at RPM.”
During the time of this interview, Moss just completed a job interview with Textron for a full-time position after graduation. She plans to build up work experience before going to school to become an ultrasound technician.
Darren Harris, Westside Comprehensive High School, Performance Learning Center (PLC) - At Home Learning
Darren Harris of Westside Comprehensive High School has spent the past two years balancing online classes at the Performance Learning Center (PLC) “At Home Learning” program and dual enrollment at Augusta Technical College. Now, Harris will be graduating early and jumpstarting his post-graduate studies.
One of Harris's favorite high school memories is from his freshman year. “Every morning, the counselor would come on the morning announcements, and he would sing a song,” he said. “He would always get us hyped up for the morning and for the day. It would always start the week off right.”
A pivotal figure in Harris’s success was his teacher, Ms. Rivera. He shared, “Ms. Rivera always helped out and always looked out for me. She encouraged me to take AP courses, which eventually led to me enrolling in dual enrollment classes. That helped me get ahead and prepare for college life.”
Once he transitioned to a dual enrollment schedule, Harris says he started to enjoy his classes more and thrived in his college courses. He is most proud of getting straight A’s in his junior year and earning the “Highest Average Award” in American Literature. This year, as a senior, he took public speaking, literature, sociology, and his favorite class, American Government, at Augusta Tech.
As he prepares to cross the graduation stage, Harris’s advice for incoming freshmen is to not let their grades slip early on and stay focused. “Once you get to the point where you’re about to fail a class, then you realize you have to get your work done first. Then you can do what you want to, like hang out with your friends.”
In the next chapter of his journey, Harris will continue to attend Augusta Tech to pursue his interest in automotive mechanics. With several college classes already completed during high school, he is looking forward to fast-tracking the next stage of his academic career.
Kenneth Carswell, Laney Comprehensive High School
Kenneth Carswell of Laney Comprehensive High School will graduate a semester early and attend Augusta University to pursue a degree in psychology.
Carswell’s most memorable moment from his time in school was playing football throughout his high school career. He says the team not only opened doors to new friendships and relationships but also taught him critical life skills like time management and balancing responsibilities. One of his accomplishments he is most proud of is maintaining a 3.0 GPA throughout high school.
Among his many teachers, Carswell says the one that stands out the most is Ms. Frye. "She taught me how to not give up on myself and keep dedicating myself to my schoolwork," he said. "And it's worked out, so I'm grateful for her."
In addition to playing football outside of school, Carswell also volunteered at a local homeless shelter where he lived temporarily when he was younger. "That has definitely taught me to see things from a different perspective and be grateful for the little things," he said.
Carswell says his advice for incoming freshman is to focus on school. He said, “Try your best to maintain a 3.0 GPA. The HOPE scholarship will determine how your college experience goes. School gives you an opportunity to go anywhere with your life.”
After Carswell completes his bachelor’s degree in psychology, he plans to earn a doctorate and attend medical school. His dream is to open a residential facility for mental health services.
Swankeda Williams, Back-On-Track Diploma Completion Program
Swankeda Williams returned to the classroom to complete her education in 2024. Originally a student from Glenn Hills Comprehensive High School, Williams will receive her high school diploma through the Back-On-Track Diploma Completion Program.
Her most memorable moments came from the sense of connection in the program. Whether it was celebrating birthdays, supporting one another during tough times, or simply gathering for potlucks, the environment fostered a sense of belonging and encouragement. "It’s like a family. You feel welcomed and you feel comfortable,” she said.
A pivotal influence on her journey was Mr. Rowe, a teacher in the program. "He wasn’t just about academics," she said. "He cared about his students a lot. All of our teachers do, but he had a different way of showing care... He’s a very wise man.”
Williams’ advice to other students, including her own children who currently attend Warren Road Elementary School, is, “Don’t be afraid to take the first step. New opportunities are waiting, and it’s okay to ask for help along the way. Believe in yourself and keep going."
Looking ahead, Swankeda plans to pursue certification as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), inspired by her mother’s career in nursing. Beyond that, she hopes to explore a career in mortuary services and continue her education.
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