The Mountain Education Union Campus Class of 2025 had its time to shine on Tuesday, May 27, when graduates gathered at the Union County Fine Arts Center for scholarships and awards, but most importantly, to walk across the stage to receive their diplomas and turn their tassels.
With 19 total graduates attending from Union and Towns counties, four students earned Honor Graduate status and one earned Campus High Honor Graduate, namely Cayleigh Kenner, who led the class processional carrying the traditional cromach staff of Mountain Education commencement exercises.
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“Symbolically, the cromach represents the power of preserving good through fidelity and truth,” explained Campus Principal Brandon Bradburn.
Led by Co-Principal Jennifer Ludlum, scholarships were awarded from local organizations like the Allegheny Masonic Lodge, Blairsville Kiwanis, the Union County Lions and other entities, including Unity Church, Mike’s Seafood and Woodmen of the World.
Several graduates received financial assistance via scholarships in honor of the departed, such as the North Georgia Technical College Dr. Ivester Memorial, Jacob Lynch Memorial, Martha Elliot Memorial and the Teena Atkins Memorial.
“I want to express how grateful I am for this moment and everyone here who could attend this special day,” said Honor Graduate Kaitlyn Dolby. “No matter what we face, no matter what labels society may place on us, each and every single one of us are scholars … with the determination and perseverance to achieve success in what we want to be and to do in our life.”
Destiny Eskew delivered the Graduate Speech, bravely sharing the story of how she found herself attending Mountain Education and what the public high school did to change her life.
“Exposed to things I should have been sheltered from at a young age,” Eskew described her upbringing as a difficult one.
Although she admitted she made some wrong turns, the path to her future was ultimately changed when she decided to fight for herself and take a chance that would result in the betterment of not just her life, but that of her daughter.
“I started focusing on finding me … but I still regretted not finishing school,” Eskew said. “In August of 2023, I enrolled in (Mountain Education) in Blairsville.”
And so, she stood before her fellow graduates after successfully completing a customized education plan that involved taking courses at home and testing on campus so she could continue to work in support of her family.
Triumphant in her endeavors and enjoying a new lease on life, she praised Mountain Education for offering her – and countless others over the years – a second chance.
“In May of 2024, I watched my daughter graduate from kindergarten,” Eskew said. “While this graduation may seem small to some people … this really opened my eyes to me graduating.
“I wanted to finish for myself, but I also wanted to show her that I could do it despite being a teen mom. I wanted to prove all of those who doubted me wrong, and I wanted to show the kid in me that we did it. And guess what? I did it.”
Among the crowd and staff alike, tears were shed at Eskew’s emotional testimony. She vouched for her classmates and the importance of Mountain Education as an alternative to traditional education, describing how those beset by trauma like herself can find a way to overcome life’s challenges.
Following the ceremony, everyone was invited to the Union County High School cafeteria for refreshments and socializing, proving that while the journey may look different for some graduates, there’s still a victory worth celebrating at its end.
The Mountain Education Union Campus Class of 2025 is Sebastian Astorga, Honor Graduate Rayven Chastain, Colton Czarnecke, Aubree Davis, Honor Graduate Kaitlyn Dolby, Destiny Eskew, Garrett Glisson, Brianna Grave, Arie Hayston, Indigo Hull Hatchett, Jolie Johnson, Campus High Honor Graduate Cayleigh Kenner, Honor Graduate Braden Kinderknecht, Honor Graduate Chevale Kinderknecht, Marissa Lund, Jordyn Mason, Chloe Phillips, Ethan Pickelsimer, Naliana Ray, Jason Savage and Zachary Wenrich.
