Friday, June 17, 2016

Gwaltney School at Jackson-Feild graduates eight students

June 10 was a very special day for eight students who attend the Edna Hayden Gwaltney School at Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services. Four students received their standard high school diploma and four received their GED. In addition, seven graduates and undergraduates received their Home Health Care Aide certificate and pin.
 
Dr. Bill Bowling, Director of Education, presided over the ceremony held at the Golden Leaf Commons at Southside Virginia Community College, Emporia Campus. Dr. JoAnn Smart, Director of Clinical Services, was the commencement speaker.
 
Two students addressed the members of their class expressing their thanks to the school and faculty. They challenged their fellow graduates to build upon the education they received at Gwaltney School.
 
Six scholarships were awarded to students to help with college expenses. Nancy Sands, President of the Episcopal Church Women from the Diocese of Southern Virginia, presented each graduate with a $100 honorarium.
 
Over the last eighteen years, 157 students have graduated from the Gwaltney School with either a diploma or GED certificate. Each year, in honor and recognition of the student's work, an anonymous donor has provided a bouquet of roses for each girl, a wallet for each boy, and a gift card for every graduate. Another donor underwrote the cost of class rings which were presented to every graduate.