May 19, 2021–10:10 a.m.

NEWS RELEASE

As Rome High School graduates prepare to walk the stage this Saturday, school educators are recognizing their achievements and their futures in a career or studying at the next level.

Dr. Eric Holland and teachers at Rome High organized an Honors Day where college representatives and community members gathered in the school gymnasium to present awards. Families of the seniors were also invited to snap photos of their children, and a few special guests stopped in to say congratulations.

Georgia House Representative Katie Dempsey was part of that long list of distinguished guests. She presented Thu Truong, 2021 Class Valedictorian, with a STAR student award. This award goes to the student with the highest SAT score. Her STAR teacher, ELA educator Amanda Howell, was also honored for inspiring Truong during her four years at RHS.

During the two-hour event, students were honored by community leaders like Greg Shropshire with the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority and the 100 Black Men of Northwest Georgia; RCS School Board member and Project SOAR coordinator with the Northwest Georgia Housing Authority, Elaina Beeman; and leaders from many other organizations found across the state.

Pascha Burge and her son Nicholas also stopped in to present a scholarship in their family’s name to Truong. Nicholas is a former RHS football player who saw success on the field and in the classroom. His family also presented Eddie “EJ” Burks with a scholarship for his work on the football field.

RHS student Andrew Harrell (pictured with Principal, Dr. Eric Holland) was presented with a laptop for obtaining his associate’s degree in applied technical management, welding, and several other certificates.

Near the end of the ceremony, Rome High School administrators and educators presented the family of Jose Cornejo-Cornejo with his cap and gown and a diploma he had earned before his life was cut short in a recent traffic accident. Jose’s classmates were grateful for the chance to recognize their fellow Wolf and his family was thankful for the sentiment.

From laptops for students who received an associate’s degree while enrolled in Rome High to thousands of dollars in scholarship money for students headed to college in the fall, all seniors present had something to be proud of. They were about to leave their high school prepared for college or for work.