On Thursday August 8th, Lund’s New Horizons Education Program celebrated the graduation of the four students of the Class of 2019 and the academic and personal achievements of multiple other students and Lund clients. Over 100 family members, friends, supporters, Lund staff, trustees and community partners gathered at the Vermont Commons School for this joyous and inspiring event.
NHEP teachers and staff members paid testimony to the students’ tenacity, resilience, hard work, and community spirit as they were celebrated for academic achievement, work experience, post-secondary education, and participation in the outreach program that reaches over 300 middle and high school students annually with real life stories of young parenthood and sexual health education.
“I have never given a commencement address in my whole life, this is my first one. But I know you are supposed to give advice so let me give advice,” said Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan who addressed the graduates. “Don’t let anybody define you, define yourself. And don’t ever back down. Don’t ever give up and keep pushing forward no matter what. No matter the struggles you’ve had, no matter the struggles that come, you have demonstrated that you can do it and that anything is possible.”
The ceremony was filled with student voices – poetry, testimonies and a video featuring the graduates’ memories, lesson learned and messages to their children. “We made it,” said graduate Saruro, laughing at the end of the interviews. Yes you did! We are very proud of the students’ dedication to making a better life for themselves and their families. Anything really is possible for you and we cannot wait to see where you go from here.
Congratulations to the Class of 2019 and to Lund clients who show show resilience and determination every day to make their lives better.
