A longtime dream and months of work and hope had come down to a single breathtaking moment for Midland Valley High School senior Stephanie Zaragoza. In her hand was an envelope from Harvard University and its contents would shape the next stage of her life, one way or another.
“I opened it by myself because I just knew there was no way I would get in and I was just shocked for a good ten seconds then I just started screaming,” commented Stephanie after learning she had been accepted to Harvard University. “Attending Harvard has been a dream of mine for a long time, probably since I was twelve years-old. It was a really cool moment.”
Stephanie plans to pursue a degree in Psychology at Harvard University.
Zaragoza is one of nearly 1,400 success stories to be celebrated this week as Aiken County Public Schools hosts its Class of 2021 commencement ceremonies beginning this evening with graduations at South Aiken High School, Silver Bluff High School, and Wagener-Salley High School beginning at 8:00 p.m.
Aiken County Superintendent King Laurence has been impressed by this year’s graduating class.
“I’m very proud of our graduates for the tremendous resilience and character they’ve shown in overcoming numerous challenges during a global pandemic,” stated Superintendent Laurence. “This was not the senior year they wanted or expected, but they embraced it. Despite this adversity they’ve emerged victorious as high school graduates and we are thrilled to celebrate their accomplishments.”
Aiken High School senior Jaylen Dicks plans to attend New York University in the fall with a goal of earning a psychology degree in a pre-law track. He says overcoming adversity during the pandemic helped him develop the skills he will need as a collegiate learner.
“It was a challenge, but I’m here at the finish line,” stated Jaylen. “The pandemic has been a struggle indeed, but I think it also allowed people to get better in ways and I’ve benefitted from that in having a better work ethic and learning how to manage my time correctly and efficiently.”
Learning how to succeed academically in a virtual setting during the pandemic also instilled a level of self-confidence Jaylen says he did not possess prior to the start of the 2020-21 school year.
“I’ve definitely gained some confidence because at the beginning of the year I was anxious about how I would perform academically,” commented Jaylen. “I now know I will do well in whatever academia and life throws my way because I made it through this tough year.”
Graduations continue tomorrow at Aiken High School, Midland Valley High School, North Augusta High School, and Ridge Spring-Monetta High School, all at 8:00 p.m.
LINK TO DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE: 2021 PR GRADUATION PREVIEW