Dear Editor,

On May 19, 32 students of Richmond Early College at Richmond Community College received both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree.

It was a time of achievement for these students.

It was a milestone for education innovation for Richmond County.

It is an example of successful thinking outside of the box.

Students now have two years of transferable college credit to continue their education.

Early College Principal Michael Chapman emphasized the significance when he told graduates, “You’ve done something no other students have done before.”

Richmond Early College had been named among the top performing high schools in the state, a major achievement.

All these facts are worthy recalling once again to emphasize the significance of students completing Early College at RCC.

The students are to be commended for working hard to make a vision by public school and RCC officials become reality.

Student Jamilah Dawkins set the tone when she said, “We’ve shown that when we set our minds to it, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.” Hopefully that will be something these students keep in mind their entire lives.

It is a refreshing attitude worthy of emulation by all Richmond County students.

Tom MacCallum

Rockingham