57 students graduate from Pathways to Success Academic Campus and Ann Arbor Adult Education
Family and friends gathered at Pioneer’s Schreiber Auditorium Tuesday evening to celebrate the 2026 graduates of Pathways to Success Academic Campus and Ann Arbor Adult Education.
The ceremony brought together graduates of two distinct yet kindred programs, and they spoke of persistence, courage, and the refusal to let circumstances have the final word.
Following the processional, the auditorium rose for the National Anthem and “Lift Every Voice.” Dean Jalen Hemphill then offered his welcome, opening the formal ceremony before the first of four student speakers took the podium.
Lorenzo Moore spoke of his journey to Adult Education, while Makai Carter-Brame, Steveyah Jones, and Thomas Harrison spoke of how much their time at Pathways had meant to them. All expressed thanks to teachers, staff, and family
The Actors Studio at Pathways (ASAP) followed with their Senior Presentation, a student-led performance that included more tributes from more students.
Pathways O.P. Angela Anderson read the poem “Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann that she has treasured since she was 12 years old, and encouraged the graduates to reflect on the message.
Hemphill reminded graduates that the night was more than a ceremony. Rather, it was proof that perseverance can outweigh fear, that community matters, and that healing and growth are possible even after hardship.
He reflected on a journey shaped by extraordinary challenges, noting they came of age during a pandemic that changed the world, returned to disrupted classrooms, and faced leadership changes and uncertainty that no graduating class should have to endure.
This year, he acknowledged, brought especially heavy moments, including safety concerns, grief, and rumors about the future of their school.
Hemphill credited that transformation to the people surrounding the students. He offered heartfelt thanks to staff “for showing up when the work was hard” and for believing in students even when they struggled to believe in themselves. He also recognized families for their unseen sacrifices and steady support, noting that this milestone belongs to them, too.
Turning back to the graduates, he affirmed that choosing a different path did not make them less and praised their resilience, maturity, and determination in balancing school, work, family responsibilities, and personal challenges.
He closed by reminding graduates that their diplomas represent far more than completed coursework, but symbolize growth, strength, and the ability to keep moving forward when life is difficult.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done,” he said,
Hemphill gave the Dean’s Distinguished Honor Award to Thomas Harrison and Re’Niya Lanay Johnson-Steen for having faced many challenges only to turn the trials into triumphs.
Counselor Colleen Creal presided over the presentation of scholarships and awards, honoring the graduates whose academic achievement and personal character had distinguished them among their peers.
STRIVE Scholarship recipients include:
Bryce Johnson — 3,000 dollars — Myers Award
Re’Niya Johnson — 2,400 dollars — Lester Award
Lily Rodeffer — 2,000 dollars — Gayle Dybdahl Award
Justus Gray — 2,000 dollars — Pierson Award
Makiai Carter Brown — 1,300 dollars — Rotary STRIVE Award
Thomas Harrison — 1,300 dollars — Rotary STRIVE Award
Re’Niya Johnson — 1,000 dollars — Community For All Scholarship Award
The Class of 2026
The following graduates were conferred diplomas at the ceremony. An asterisk (*) denotes Adult Education graduates; a diamond (◆) denotes scholarship recipients.
Kamar Ali*
Hannah Baker*
Arelle’ Shavon-Nicole Brown
Cymone D Brown
Makai Jaheem Carter-Brame ◆
Leilani Isabelle Casares
Ethan Richter Chrisman Herrick
Mia Faith Corcoran
Meykia Elizabeth Davis
Cassandra Harmony Dutch
Julian K. Ellis*
Lillian Foss*
Jaylah Noelle Freeman
Jameson Charles Garner
Justus Kozel Gray ◆
Cameron William Green
Thomas Harrison ◆
Kimberly Martina Holt
Harmony Faith Holmes
Bryce Andrew Johnson ◆
Re’Niya Lanay Johnson-Steen ◆
Alexis Lynette Jones
Sequoia Jones*
Sophia Licata*
Steveyah Jean Jones
Zariah Kipke
Megan Elizabeth Klunder
Indigo Lucas
Haibo Luo*
Chalis McLaughlin*
Ashley Nicole Mendez-Reyes ◆
Dachardnea Mitchell-Bailey*
Darwin Moore*
Lorenzo Moore*
Rahib Musoni*
Kelsea Nau*
Tyra Noblin*
Kailee Reid*
Jose Rivera-Roman*
Trey Thomas Robertson
Lily Honour Rodeffer ◆
Ca’Ray I. Sanders
Alexia Schenck*
Ryan Schop*
Nona Slater*
Johnathan Smith*
Andrew Stevenson*
Elanor R. Stiverson
Colton Switzer*
Riley Terrazas
Brandon Xiomara Vasquez-Arguijo
Madison Velazquez*
Ervin Weston
Yasmyn Worsley*
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