Five graduate from Lumberton HS Grad Academy

LUMBERTON — During the 2020-21 school year, Lumberton ISD implemented the Lumberton High School Grad Academy which is designed to help students with credit recovery and acceleration, according to Mary A. Johnson, director of Communication and Community Relations.
Grad Academy provides a non-traditional setting with an online curriculum, and gives students an opportunity to work independently and advance at their own pace. 
The LHS Grad Academy provides a supportive and structured learning environment to meet each student’s academic needs. To date, the Grad Academy has graduated 11 students. Six students in its first year and five students in the 2021-2022 school year. This year’s graduates were Madison Evans, Anton Mitchell, Keagan Lorraine, Isabella Sarles and Cheyanne Gober.
“Each graduate has a unique story,” added Johnson.
Mitchell started his journey with Lumberton ISD in kindergarten. During his freshman year at LHS. he moved to Beaumont and then on to Buna where he dropped out of school to help support his family through health issues. 
“Once he was able to return to school, Anton chose the LHS Grad Academy,” according to Johnson. “The Academy provided Anton with the opportunity to gain the necessary credits to graduate from high school.”
“The Grad Academy means a lot because it allowed my dreams to come true.” Mitchell said. “It is a big achievement. It took a village and six years but I did it!”
He walked across the graduation stage on May 27 with the LHS Class of 2022.
Johnson said the mission of Lumberton ISD is to “Challenge and inspire all students to develop their talents, becoming the best version of themselves”. 
The LHS Grad Academy helps students achieve their best version of themselves to go out into the world.