Burket Educational Center held its annual graduate honors reception at 10 a.m. today. The ceremony honored 27 students who participated in the alternative education program.

According to Micah Lukens, instructional assistant for the alternative education program, this is one of the largest classes to go through Burket Educational Center.

The alternative school allows students from various backgrounds to achieve a high school diploma or equivalent.

Students who attend the school often come from difficult background, have behavioral issues or attendance problems, which hindered their education in the public school system.

Catherine Leadford and Micah Lukens

Lukens introduced the graduates and noted that out of the 27 graduates, 11 received Core 40 diplomas, six were parents or expecting parents, four were on probation or were on probation in the past, 21 had jobs while attending school to help support them or their family and seven are the first in their family to graduate.

Skylinn Holmes, a graduate from Burket, was asked what she thought of Burket Educational Center in an essay. Holmes said, “I believe Burket was a kind of second chance. It’s for the kids who need a second chance.”

Catherine Leadford, another graduate, was asked if she had any advice for her fellow classmates upon graduation. Leadford said, “No, just tell everyone to tip well at Steak and Shake.” Steak and Shake is Leadford’s employer.

From left: Kylah De Crow, Micah Lukens and Mr. Petre

The 27 graduates come from different backgrounds and have faced different obstacles. One student attended Burket for three years after moving around a lot when she was younger. Kylah De Crow could not stay caught up with her school work in the public school system after her father was killed in the terrorist attack in Fort Hood, Texas.

She found Burket Educational Center and graduated today with her high school diploma.

Lukens introduced the Burket class of 2015 and announced the future plans for each student. The majority students plan on either furthering their education or entering the workforce upon graduation.

The students hope to pursue careers in areas such as orthopedics, media arts, education, nursing, IT, accounting, the armed forces or receiving their CNC certification.

Lukens ended the introductions for each student by saying, “May you always find success and happiness.”

Richard Petre, J.A.G teacher, left the graduates with 10 words to live by. You can see his 10 words of advice in the video below.