February 16, 2023 | Jeffrey Good
One year to the day from opening its doors to young people wanting a non-traditional path to their high school diplomas, Wichita Acceleration Academies celebrated the first-ever class of graduates in a ceremony brimming with joy.
“Please join me in welcoming the Wichita Acceleration Academies Class of 2023,” academy Director Chris Turner said to a roomful of family, friends and educators gathered at the historic Wichita Boathouse. “We are honored and humbled to have each of these exceptional young people … Each of you has been an inspiration to all of us.”
Gussied up in caps and gowns, the grads settled into their chairs and looked expectantly ahead. Dr. Loren Hatfield, Executive Director of Secondary Schools at Wichita Unified School District 259, told them she was struck by the fact that they had been in kindergarten the year she began teaching. She quoted the words of author C.S. Lewis: “Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back everything’s different?”
She invited the grads to think back to the day when they decided to complete their high school courses at WAA, for reasons ranging from the need to work full-time to support themselves and their families to academic pressures that seemed overwhelming. With help from WAA’s personalized curriculum, flexible schedule and one-on-one coaching, all were able to meet those challenges and realize their goal of a diploma.
“You probably didn’t recognize yourself changing day by day as you completed your coursework,” she said. “Everything is different because you made that one choice to come to Acceleration Academies and earn your high school diploma.
“I want you to promise that today won’t be the greatest day of your life,” she continued. “Get out there with all the grit, resilience and love you can muster and go climb another mountain,” she said. “Congratulations, we are so proud of you.”
One of the grads, Peyton Campbell, addressed his classmates. Peyton, who overcame family upheaval and an unplanned move at the beginning of his senior year, already has an internship with a Wichita TV station and plans to study meteorology and journalism in college.
“We’ve spent countless hours over the past 13 years trying to reach this accomplishment,” he said. “As we part ways today, I hope you will all continue your education and make good life decisions.”
After listening to the words of praise and inspiration, the graduates stood and — one by one — walked across the room to receive their diplomas. As they did, the room filled with applause, whoops of joy and more than a few tears.
Wichita Acceleration Academies accepts new students on a rolling basis. For more information, check out the academy web page and fill out an online enrollment form.
