THOMAS CONNELLY: Dougherty High School/High Tech students graduate

On the morning of May 4 at the Albany ARC office on Stuart Avenue, a very special event occurred – the graduation of eight Dougherty County High School High Tech students. (HS/HT is a comprehensive community-based program that provides young students with disabilities a link to academic and career development experiences that enable them to meet contemporary work force demands.)

With a guest speaker sharing her experiences of coming of age with a disability label to completing law school and working in Washington, D.C., the students were inspired to strive for greatness no matter their challenges.

Commencing at 9 a.m., the audience was welcomed by Brandon Lateef, a HS/HT senior. After the Pledge of Allegiance and some remarks by Sonny Slate, the executive director of Albany ARC, Marcus Humphrey spoke. This young man, a local HS/HT graduate who now works as director of reservations at The Partridge Inn in Augusta, is the son of a local doctor.

Humphrey noted that he was an unmotivated student while at Westover High School, viewing himself as a class clown. However, after he became involved with HS/HT and its staff, he became more focused and goal-oriented. It is in this latter capacity that he now works for Hilton hotels.

The guest speaker was Leisa Johnson. She is an attorney based in Albany. She spoke about growing up in a working-class family, and one that was dysfunctional. A person who stuttered and not being able to read until she was 10, she was labeled as “retarded” by other members of her family. In addition, she witnessed her alcoholic father mistreating her mother.

It was not until she moved from Maryland to Albany to live with her grandmother that this youngster encountered people who believed in her, as well as mentored and challenged her to excel academically.

It was because of her time in Albany that Johnson developed her drive and confidence in herself. After moving back to Maryland, this young lady was able to graduate as valedictorian of her high school class and excel in college. She later attended and graduated from law school. Johnson later learned that she had auditory processing problems as a child and addressed the audience with a loving heart.

Having worked 30 years as an attorney, she gave God the credit for her achievements and life. She stated that we are all “favored,” and that, despite what others may think or say, God does not make mistakes. During the speech, Johnson also encouraged each of the students multiple times to “believe in themselves.”

Johnson is also an author, having written the book “Racehorse.”

During the ceremony, Karen Royston, the statewide High School/High-Tech director, also spoke. According to Royston, Georgia has the largest HS/HT program in the nation. Started and directed in 2004 by Lee Miller, HS/HT has grown very quickly. Now this program can be found in 145 schools in 87 school systems throughout the state. A main partner of the program is Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency.

Concerning the HS/HT program, it was once housed at Westover. Now, however, it has expanded to include Monroe and Dougherty High Schools. As of this writing, there are 27 students currently in the Dougherty County HS/HT program, including eight seniors, 15 juniors, and four sophomores.

The ceremony was well-attended by people involved in the program. Dr. Diane Boges, Dougherty County school System director of the Exceptional Student Program, was there and gave the introduction of the HS/HT students. The assistant ESP director for Dougherty County, Dr. Gayle U. Bentley, was also in attendance.

Representing Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency were Cathy Manuel and Sondra Hudson. Manuel is the service area manager of the southwest region of Georgia, and Hudson, currently the career pathways specialist for the Southwest quadrant, served as counselor for Humphrey.

Also participating in the event were Susan Harris, Marie King and Lavonda Gervin. Harris, Albany ARC HS/HT coordinator, spoke about the HS/HT scholarship award. King is a Dougherty County School System HS/HT instructor. Gervin, the DCSS coordinator, voiced her thoughts about participant recognition.

Thomas Connelly is a communications specialist with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency.