2016 Graduation
Swartz Creek Academy
It is indeed an honor to present our 2016 Swartz Creek Academy Graduates.
Bottom Row: Carly Galloway, Ashton Moses, Aaron Bohl, Shannon Gross, James Wylie, Taren Driskill, Jason Meyer, Austin Edwards, Cameron Cords, Kayla Harburn, Venessa Udell
Not Pictured: Cody Gibson, Tyler Hankins, Kody March, Gregory McDonald, Hannah O'Bryan, Andrew Ritter, Hailey Shirey, Derrik Trujillo, Zachary Wensko, Huntar Simpson
Below - video of baby and Senior Pictures of 2016 Graduates
It is indeed an honor to present our 2016 Swartz Creek Academy Graduates.
A total of 33 students are to be congratulated !
- 20 are 4th year Seniors - Graduating on Time
- 10 of these students are 5th year Seniors
- 1 is a 6th year Senior
- 1 is an Adult Education student
- 1 is GED recipient
In the state of Michigan where the High School dropout rate is 26%
Our graduating seniors from the Swartz Creek Academy are empowering the economic community at large.
As each student has proven to themselves and society that they are each a
STAR - Student Taking Academic Responsibility.
Our Latin Motto is -Virtus et Scientia meaning Character and Knowledge.
Our Mantra is from the poem Invictus by William Earnest Henley Earnest...
"I am the master of my fate - I am the captain of my soul"
Invictus is Latin for Unconquerable.
"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world"
We the Academy Family are proud of each of our students and they are indeed
the world to us.
Congratulations
Richard Kerry Thompson
Dean of Students
and
The Swartz Creek Academy Family
We are honored to present the following students for Graduation 2016
Bohl, Aaron Frank
Chambless, Taylor Brooke
Colby, Alexis Nicole
Copeland, Annabelle Jean
Cords, Cameron Joseph
Courtney, Jonathan David
Driskill, Taren Austin
Edwards, Austin Dean
Galloway, Carly Rhiannon
Gibson, Cody Lee
Grady II, James Michael
Griffin, Walter Wanye'
Gross, Shannon Erin
Hankins, Tyler Joseph
Harburn, Kayla Denise
Hill, Kailen Rose
Joyner, Justin Michael
March, Kody Stephen
McDonald, Gregory Daniel
Meyer, Jason Robert
Moses, Ashton Leigh
O'Bryan, Hannah Marie
Prentice, Andrew Laurence
Ritter, Andrew Michael
Shirey, Hailie OIivia
Simpson, Huntar Ian
Smith, Zachary Alan
Trujillo, Derrik Austin
Udell, Venessa Marie
Wensko, Zachary Williams
Wylie, Darwin James
Williams, Joseph Michael
Yager, Sarah Elizabeth
Friday June 10, 2016 - 7:00 PM PAC
2016 Academy Graduation
Friday, Jun 10, 2016, 07:00 PM
8427 MILLER RD SWARTZ CREEK, MI
Aaron Bohl
Special thanks to my Grandma, Kaylee, Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Norris, and Mrs. Gould for helping me to succeed in accomplishing my goal.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you canโt-youโre right." โHenry Ford
Taylor Chambless
I would like to thank Grandfather, Raymond Pedrin, for always believing in me and giving me the determination to finish high school. I wish he could be here with us today to see me graduate. I know he would be proud.
If I had to pick a senior quote it would definitely be โThis wasnโt at all like High School Musicalโ
Alexis Colby
Thank you to my family and friends for supporting me and being there for me every step of the way. I would like to especially thank my Mom for being my best friend and pushing me to finish. I am so thankful for my God who never stops loving me and who never leaves my side.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." โJeremiah 29:11
Annabelle Copeland
I would like to thank my parents, friends, and all the staff at the Academy for always believing in me and never losing faith in me even when I myself thought all hope was lost. You all stood by my side and gave me the confidence I needed to get things done. You are all my heroes, Thank You!
"Let your smile change the world. Not the world change your smile."
Cameron Cords
I want to thank my parents for helping me and pushing me to finish this chapter in my life. I also want to thank Mr. T and Mrs. Gould for supporting me all the way.
"If you arenโt first your last, because second is just the first loser."
Jonathan Courtney
Thanks to all of the Swartz Creek Academy Staff over the last years for keeping me on track to graduate.
"A good leader leads the people from above them. A great leader leads the people from within them."
Taren Driskill
To Mom and Dad, take a deep breath, thatโs actually me walking across the stage. Words cannot describe my thanks for your unfailing love and support you have provided me throughout life. Without your guidance and motivation, I would have never had the courage to overcome the obstacles of life. And last but not least I would like to thank Mr. Thompson and staff of the Swartz Creek Academy for keeping me compliant, motivating me, and encouraging me to reach my potential.
โLive as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.โ -Mahatma Gandhi
Austin Edwards
I would like to especially thank my Mom, Stepdad, and my Grandma for always being there for me.
"Always live higher than your expectations."
Carly Galloway
Finally! Thank you to all who pushed me to graduate. If it wasnโt for you I would have never finished. My family and friends, but most of all my teachers and Mr. Thompson, thank you so much for this constant opportunity. I am truly blessed to be a part of this school.
"Failure is not real, it is a choice."
Cody Gibson
James Grady II
I have had a lot of fun this year at the Swartz Creek Academy, and I would like to thank my parents, family, friends and the entire Swartz Creek Academy Staff. I would also like to give a special thank you to my friend, Zach Smith, for helping me in some of my classes. Iโm going to miss the Academy, it was like a second home to me. Thank you Mr. Thompson, for having me as a student.
"The first step in solving any problem is recognizing there is one."
Walter Griffin
I want to thank my Mom, my Dad, Mrs. Gould, Mr. Thompson, Shantel, and my judge, because they helped me make it.
"I am as bad as the worst, but, thank God, I am as good as the best." โ Walt Whitman
"Living well is the best revenge." โ George Herbert
"I did my best, and God did the rest." โ Hattie McDaniel
Shannon Gross
When I first moved to the Academy, I was skeptical the first few days. But, little did I know, the guy I hated most at first would become my great friend, and the teachers would feel like those awesome uncles at family cook outs. I hate to part from my family, but I am so excited to see them grow. I give a special thanks to all of the Swartz Creek Academy Staff. Thank you for having patience to teach us students.
"Why change the past when you can own this day."
Tyler Hankins
Kayla Harburn
Thanks to my family and Mr. Thompson for supporting me and most importantly pushing me to demand excellence from myself.
"Faith doesnโt make things easy, but it makes it possible." -unknown
Kailen Hill
I want to thank my Mom and Dad for keeping me motivated and helping me graduate.
"Work in Silence; let your success be the noise."
Justin Joyner
I would like to thank Mr. T and the whole Academy for helping and pushing me to graduate. All the staff here at Swartz Creek Academy is beyond unbelievable.
PEACE OUT SWARTZ CREEK!!!!
"No matter where you're at in life, fight through the challenges to achieve the best possible version of yourself."
Kody March
"Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it." โ Bruce Lee
Gregory McDonald
"The next thing you know you're looking back instead of forward. And now, at the climax of all those years of worry, sleepless nights, and denials, Bill finally finds himself staring his death in the face, surrounded by people he no longer recognizes and feels no closer attachment to than the thousands of relatives who'd come before. And as the Sun continues to set, he finally comes to realize the dumb irony in how he had been waiting for this moment his entire life, this stupid awkward moment of death that had invaded and distracted so many days with stress and wasted time."
Jason Meyer
The program has helped me out so much, without it I probably would have dropped out. It is the only way I could continue going to school while working full time and it gave me a second chance to better myself and prepare me for the next chapter of my life.
"Nothing worth having comes easy."
Ashton Moses
I would like to thank my family, friends, and staff at the Swartz Creek Academy for helping me on my journey, itโs been a long one but Iโve made it.
"Nothing is impossible the word itself says, I'M POSSIBLE!"
Hannah O'Bryan
I want to thank my family for pushing me to always do my best. Saying thank you isnโt quite enough to show how much I appreciate all the tough love everyone gave me along the way. I want to thank Mr. T for being so understanding and working with me to make one of my biggest goals possible. I couldnโt have asked for a better group of mentors.
Andrew Prentice
This school has allowed me to graduate when I thought it was not possible. I feel ready to move on with life. I did not know the students or most of the staff. It makes it easier to move on without getting close. I plan to go to college and make a living in technology. Later, nerds.
"Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in this universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying." โ Alex Clark
Andrew Ritter
Wow. High school was a long, crazy experience for me. There were a lot of ups and downs and about a million loops. Points where I wasnโt sure if I would still be alive. But with the help of friends, family, and music, I overcame all these obstacles. I canโt stress enough how thankful I am for all the important people in my life. Much love.
"Roses are red violets are blue. School is cool. Rock on."
Hailie Shirey
"Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations."
Zachary Smith
"Everything happens for a reason" is something I live by. I feel that with good or bad, everything really does happen for a reason. When I came to Swartz Creek Academy that quote escaped my mind until I was opened to a massive amount of opportunities. From start to finish it made me think and reflect that being at the Academy was for a reason. Being here has restored lost faith and hope in myself and taught me that change can only happen starting and ending with yourself. It has not only helped me, but others as well, letting us prove to the doubters who said we couldn't do it, wrong. Lastly a big fat thank you to Mr. T., Mrs. Gould, Mrs. Taylor, and Jimmy Grady. I don't know how far I would have actually gotten without them.
Derrik Trujillo
Special thanks to Mr. Pyle for giving me such a clear insight into the world of science.
"Only so much can be bled into words, but never can they describe the depth of a feeling; for a feeling is that, it is felt, not thought."
Venessa Udell
Iโm very proud to be graduating today. I worked hard to get here and Iโm excited to be moving onto college. I want to thank my teachers and family for motivating me throughout my school years.
"If it is important to you, you will find a way... If not, you'll find an excuse."
"Failure is not an option"
Zachary Wensko
James Wylie
I would first like to thank my God, because without Him none of it is possible. I also want to thank my parents, grandparents, siblings, in laws, and other relatives for always being there for me.
My favorite Bible Verse is Psalms 23:4 and Jeremiah 29:11. My favorite quote is โThe question isnโt who is going to let me; itโs who is going to stop me?โ
Joseph Williams
I would like to thank my family for helping me get this far in life.
My favorite quote is: โNOโ by Rosa Parks
Sarah Yager
I would like to thank my family for helping me get this far in my life, and the pizza lady for always delivering on time.
"Words can inspire, and words can destroy. Choose yours well."
Presentation of 2016 Graduates
Congratulations on your graduation from the Swartz Creek Academy!
This is a momentous occasion and surely a proud moment for you and your family.
As you know, the Swartz Creek Academy embodies the spirit of personal responsibility for oneโs own destiny.
Taking control of oneโs academic trajectory is challenging and requires a strong degree of determination and perseverance.
By completing the requirements for graduation, you have truly established yourself as master of your fate โ congratulations!
Chasing a dream requires dedication and passion. Graduation does not represent an ending, but the beginning of many more goals, challenges, and opportunities. We are certain that your experience as an Academy student will provide you with a strong foundation to be successful in all you do. Best wishes on your journey.
You may now move your tassel from right to left
Please congratulate the Academy Graduates of 2016
Richard Thompson
Dean of Students
Per ardua ad astra -"Through adversity to the stars"
A proclamation from the Mayor
1936 Academy Graduates (Mary Crapo School)
2016 Mary Crapo Academy (Graduates & Staff
Swartz Creek Academy Graduates are National News...
Academy RULZ
U=Unity
L=Leadership
Z=Zeal
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Our Parent Teacher Organization
Richard Kerry Thompson
Email: rthompson@swcrk.org
Phone: 810-591-4380
Twitter: @RKT_HOPE