August 9, 2024 | Jeffrey Good
Lowcountry Acceleration Academy celebrated its largest-ever class of graduates recently — 77 young learners who found their way to success at the innovative South Carolina public charter school.
An auditorium packed with proud family members, friends and educators erupted in applause for each of the grads as they strode across the stage to celebrate the diplomas they had worked so hard to earn.
The Class of 2024 included some students who enrolled at Lowcountry Acceleration Academy (LAA) when it first opened in 2021 in North Charleston — young people who had dropped out of traditional public schools but wanted to get their high school careers and lives back on track; ones who needed a flexible schedule while working to support themselves and their families; and ones who work best in a quiet environment and with personalized support that are the academy’s hallmarks.
The grads also included young men and women whose families moved to the United States from other countries intent on pursuing their own American dreams.
Bruno Lopes and his family moved to South Carolina from Brazil in 2021 in search of the kinds of education and work opportunities that were hard to find back in Brazil. Due to difficulties in transferring academic credits, Bruno faced years of repeating coursework at a traditional public school.
At Lowcountry Acceleration Academy, though, he was able to use a flexible schedule and personalized curriculum to accelerate his pace and graduate in half the time.
“It has been three years since I left Brazil to live in the United States and I faced the challenge of adapting to a new educational system here,” Bruno said in a commencement address to his classmates and their supporters. “Due to a translation mistake of my school credits, I faced the unexpected: I had to start high school over. After a year and a half in a regular school, I made one of the most significant decisions of my life by enrolling in the Lowcountry Acceleration Academy.
“Here, I not only sped up my progress to obtain my diploma but also benefited from a focused environment and the constant support” of a team of educators, Bruno continued. “During my time at LAA, I experienced a welcoming community that helped me grow not only academically but as a person.”
Another grad and new American, Disneydy Funes, delivered her speech in English and Spanish.
“Good morning friends, faculty, and family members of my fellow graduates. It is an honor being able to stand in front of you all. As a first-generation graduate, I’d like to incorporate Spanish into my speech as a tribute to all the Hispanic families here today,” she began. “Buenos días a todos. Es un honor para mí dirigir este saludo a todos los asistentes de este evento. En primer lugar, me gustaría agradecer a dios por guiar nuestros pasos y por permitir este gran logro hoy.”
Disneyde said the challenges facing her included becoming a mother at a young age — a role made more manageable thanks to the flexible scheduling and support offered by LAA.
“I am proud to have my dear son Liam, who at a very early age came to bring me joy,” Disneyde said. She went on to pay tribute to her parents. “My parents who came to the United States with nothing but have given me and my siblings the entire world … I wouldn’t be half the person I am today if it weren’t for them. I will forever be a proud daughter of immigrant parents.”
Finally, she congratulated her classmates for their hard work and wished them the best as they closed one chapter and moved toward another.
“High school was challenging and I think that all of us at one time or another felt like we couldn’t do it, but here we are in our caps and gowns,” she said. “We made it!”
Click here for photos of the graduation festivities by 3-time South Carolina Photographer of the Year Andrew Whitaker.
Lowcountry Acceleration Academy is a tuition-free public charter school that works in partnership with the SC Public Charter School District to provide students in the North Charleston area a year-round, flexible option for high school.
