Though the Mountain Education Center’s Class of 2026 was one of the smallest in number, the graduating students were nonetheless worthy of celebration during the MEC Commencement Exercises at the Union County Fine Arts Center on Thursday, May 28.
Billed as “The First Choice for A Second Chance,” Mountain Education is an accredited public high school that provides students the opportunity to receive a diploma via self-paced evening classes.
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Comprised of nine students, all hailing from Union County, the class included three Honor Graduates: Zariya Melody Corbett, Caroline Elizabeth Legg and Eric Nathaniel Seabolt; and one Campus High Honor Graduate, Isaiah Seth Batura.
Legg delivered the event’s greeting along with remarks that one of the campus principals, Brandon Bradburn, regarded as “strong” – especially given all that she had overcome to finally be able to walk across the stage.
Sharing her story, Legg revealed she was diagnosed with a brain tumor in middle school. Despite multiple surgeries, the tumor returned, and she had to undergo radiation. Over the course of her treatment, she missed months of school and felt as if she couldn’t catch up with her classmates.
This, compounded with other life challenges, made getting an education difficult, Legg admitted, saying, “Without the right mindset, a stumbling block can become a hurdle.”
That was where Mountain Ed stepped in.
“They accepted me with open arms and hearts full of support, and I want to thank every teacher and staff, because when you work hard and complete what you need to get done, they really celebrate those victories with you and want the absolute best for you and your future,” Legg said. Thanks to the support she found at Mountain Education, Legg said she considers herself a stronger and more determined person: “I stopped saying, ‘I wish,’ and started saying, ‘I will.’”
She urged her classmates to see their diploma not as a reminder of hard work, but as tangible proof of their ambition, drive and resilience. After all, they made the decisions to attend MEC themselves, and “the road less traveled is still a road that can lead to something amazing.”
Jennifer Ludlum, another campus principal, introduced High Honor Graduate Batura, who also delivered a speech focused on his personal journey. She shared that Batura would be going into the workforce after graduation, “bringing with him the skills, determination and character he has built along the way.”
“To be standing here is a great honor,” Batura began. “When I think about my time here at Mountain Ed, I think about more than just classes, grades and credits. I think about growth – and not just academically, but as people.”
Batura became a father while still enrolled in regular public school, and his priorities shifted. Everything in his life changed so that he could support his child. He made the decision to enroll at Mountain Ed and complete his education there.
“If I’m being honest, it wasn’t all easy,” Batura said. “There were days I wanted to quit, days I felt like I wasn’t doing enough as a student, as a parent or as a person. But I’ve learned something along the way. You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to be persistent. If I can do it, so can you.”
Batura expressed his gratitude to his parents for supporting him through his journey, whether that meant reminding him that he wasn’t alone, frequently voicing their pride in him or making sacrifices to ensure his success.
Like Legg, he also thanked Mountain Ed teachers and staff, who “pushed us, believed in us and gave us the tools to build a better future.” Because of their care, they inspired him to keep going – even when he didn’t want to.
Mountain Education Union Campus Graduation Coach Angie Burns named the plans of the Class of 2026. This included one graduate who will be attending a four-year college, three graduates who will attend a technical college or trade school, and three graduates who will enter or remain in the workforce.
Following the recognition of family, friends and guardians by Bradburn, Union Campus Teacher of the Year Starla Day stated the scholarships and awards received by the Class of 2026. Day voiced special thanks for Unity Church and Mountain Education local scholarships and led the audience in applauding the additional support.
Then, with the symbolic turning of the tassels, the members of the Mountain Education Center Class of 2026 were officially declared graduates.
“Graduates, as you step into the next chapter of your lives, carry with you the resilience, strength and self-belief you have shown to reach this moment,” Ludlum advised in closing. “You have proven that challenges do not define you; your perseverance does. We are incredibly proud of all you have accomplished.”
