Since opening in 1996, more than 3,000 young men and women have earned their high school diplomas at Ombudsman Arizona Alternative Charter Schools. The Class of 2018 saw 306 students earn their diplomas – our largest graduating class ever!
For many students, Ombudsman offers the best path to help them overcome personal, economic, or academic challenges as they work toward their degree.
We’re featuring the commencement speeches of seven graduates from the Class of 2018 here on the blog this month.
This is Kenneth Rabb’s and Elijah Grimes’ Ombudsman Arizona Charter success story.
“To my mother and grandmother, I kept my promise of finishing school.” Both Kenneth and Elijah saw the road toward graduation as an uphill struggle. Dropping out was a real possibility. Yet these two young men found support from their Ombudsman teachers and family. Now, Kenneth and Elijah have earned their diplomas as members of the Class of 2018.
Here is the speech they delivered during the graduation ceremony in Phoenix.
Kenneth Rabb: I’d like to welcome everyone to this graduation and joyous occasion. My fellow peers and I have been working to reach this point in our lives for quite some time. I want to thank my teachers and school staff for sharing their knowledge with us. To quote Elbert Hubbard: “There is no failure except in no longer trying”.
Elijah Grimes: Thanks to everyone for sharing such a wonderful event in our lives as we move from one chapter to the next. I never thought I would be here, doing this, but I am proud of everyone graduating today. I’d like to mention that anything is possible if you put your mind to it and that nothing is impossible or out of your reach.
“To all of you, remember though your goal may seem impossible, try one more time, and never give up.”
Kenneth: I remember once when I considered dropping out of high school. But my family and teachers encouraged me to stay in school and that I could accomplish what needed to be done. I stuck with it and here I am now, like they say: “It always seems impossible until its done”.
Elijah: I want to finish off by saying thank you to my family, especially my mother. I could not have done this without you. To all of you, remember though your goal may seem impossible, try one more time, and never give up. I hope I have left a lasting impression on my teachers and peers with my humor, good fashion statements and a kick game that is too strong.
Kenneth: To my mother and grandmother, I kept my promise of finishing school. You are the reason I am up here today. Ladies, I want to say thank you for all your loving support.
Kenneth & Elijah: Congratulations to the class of 2018.
