COLUMBUS, OH- Great River Connections Academy recently presented more than 180 students with their high school diplomas as members of the statewide public online charter school’s 2023 graduating class. The students were recently honored during the school’s annual commencement ceremony at the Ohio Theater in downtown Columbus.
“It was wonderful to have this opportunity to celebrate our graduates and this academic milestone with an in-person commencement ceremony together with families and friends,” said Great River Connections Academy school leader Jason Swinehart. “The faculty and staff at Great River Connections Academy are proud of the determination these students have demonstrated to find a learning environment that meets their needs and enabled them to succeed academically. We are confident the Class of 2023 is poised to do great things.”
This is Great River Connections Academy’s fifth graduating class since it first opened in 2018. While more than one-third of the graduates indicated they plan to continue their education and attend a two or four-year college or university such as Kent State University, Ohio State University, Toledo University, the University of Cincinnati and Columbus State, others plan to join the military, pursue vocational training, or enter the workforce to start their careers.
The following students from Scioto County are among Great River Connections Academy’s Class of 2023:
· Cameron Alyssa Bradshaw, Wheelersburg
· Mackenzie McKinney, Minford
During the commencement ceremony, the graduates heard from Class of 2023 Valedictorian Charles McFarland of Geneva who enrolled in Great River Connections Academy as he entered his junior year. For most of Charles’ academic career he was homeschooled or attended his local brick-and-mortar school. While he enjoyed attending his traditional school, the COVID-19 pandemic created a lot of uncertainty as schools were forced to operate remotely. Charles was also looking to take more challenging advanced placement courses and found Great River Connections Academy offered the curriculum he was seeking.
“Attending Great River Connections Academy enabled me to have control of my own academic experience, through the courses that were offered and the ability to work at my individual pace,” Charles said. “I believe students should have the opportunity to go as far as their hard work will take them and this school offered me that chance.”
Charles plans to attend Lakeland Community College in the fall.
Enrollment for the 2023-2024 academic year is currently open. Great River Connections Academy is hosting online information sessions for families interested in learning more about virtual education. For
more information about Great River Connections Academy or to begin the enrollment process, please visit www.GreatRiverConnectionsAcademy.com or call (800) 382-6010.
