January 15, 2025 | Jeffrey Good
Gwinnett County Acceleration Academies celebrated a new class of graduates recently, honoring young people who had pushed through adversity to claim their dream of a high school diploma.
Giving the commencement address was the aptly named A'Miracle Cowart, who spoke of the support she had received from family members, friends and the educators of GCAA.
“It is an incredible honor to stand before you today, filled with joy and pride as we gather to celebrate a significant milestone in our lives,” A'Miracle said. “Today is not just another day; it is years of hard work, dedication and growth. We are not just graduates; we are dreamers and agents of change.
“I’m proud of everyone and the achievements, and I couldn’t have done without the help from my friends my family and the staffs,” she continued. “To my parents and families, thank you for your unconditional love and encouragement. Whether it was comforting me after a tough day or celebrating my small victories, you have stood by me through it all. Your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed, and today I wear this cap and gown not only for myself but for you.
“To my teachers and mentors, thank you for your unwavering support and guidance,” she said. “You have not only equipped me with knowledge but also challenged me to think critically, to question, and to never stop seeking knowledge. Your impact goes far beyond textbooks and tests; you have inspired us to become the best version of ourselves.”
Grads weren’t the only ones celebrating. Many parents had despaired of their children finding a path to success, after having found only frustration in traditional public schools.
Take, for instance, Tiara Richardson, mother of grad Alonzo Romine. When the family relocated to Georgia from Maryland, Alonzo tried both in-person and online schools. Neither one clicked.
“He didn’t get a lot of support with the public school system,” says Ms. Richardson. “He was just a number. It was overcrowded and he couldn’t get much attention.”
Enrolling at Gwinnett County Acceleration Academies, Alonzo found a team of teachers, coaches and mentors ready to help him in ways that began with academic support but didn’t stop there. Particularly influential was graduation candidate advocate Jamaal Hickman.
The two first bonded over basketball, a sport Alonzo plays and loves. Before long, Hickman became Alonzo’s go-to.
“He just really made Alonzo feel important, made him feel like he’s not the only one going through things,” says Ms. Richardson, who has raised Alonzo as a single mother because his father is serving a jail term.
“He longed for that mentor,” she says of her son’s connection with Hickman. “Being an African-American man, it gave him someone to whom he could relate.”
Alonzo is moving on to study film and media in college, and both he and his mother couldn’t be more grateful for the inspiration he found at GCAA. “Acceleration, it was just a home run.”
Click here for images of graduation day by photographer Charles Anderson.