Pathways to Success 2023 Commencement Ceremony

56 graduate from Pathways to Success Academic Campus and Ann Arbor Adult Education at Pease Auditorium on June 1

Pease Auditorium on the campus of Eastern Michigan University was the setting for the 2023 commencement ceremony of Pathways to Success Academic Campus and Ann Arbor Adult Education.

LaNisha Carey was one of several graduates who spoke briefly about how enrolling at Pathways changed their lives for the better.

“I’m proud of the progress I’ve made,” she said. “From not passing, to barely passing, to getting good grades and graduating. My approach to life has changed a lot. I used to get frustrated and give up quickly. But I now learned to just keep going and think about my long-term goals. When I look towards my future, I see choices.”
She said that with the scholarships she’s earned, she has the choice to go to school.

Dean Shaenu Micou urged grads to go show the world what they are made of.

“You are the future,” he said. “We are counting on you and your expertise.”

He applauded their success in carrying heavy loads, and refusing to stay down when knocked down.

The ceremony began with students Andrew McCrae and Donny Kinniebrew-Stoner under the director of teacher Jen Niner using American Sign Language to sign “Life Every Voice.” It went on to include a presentation of awards and scholarships, senior class speakers, the showing of two video productions by the new Actors Studio at Pathways, and inspiring remarks by AAPS officials and parent Laronda Campbell, who expressed gratitude to faculty and love and admiration for her daughter graduating that night.

Award recipients:

The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation Community Scholarship awards up to $20,000 per recipient and includes a college success coach, and opportunity for further aid. They went to Donaeja Green and Victoria Day.
The Morse B. Barker Memorial Scholarship Fund awards $4,000 to selected Ann Arbor public school graduating seniors who plan to attend Washtenaw Community College or Cleary University. This year, the scholarships went to Asiya Bishop, LaNisha Carey, and Nathan Riling. 

In addition to the Ann Arbor Area Community foundation scholarships, one senior received a separate scholarship under the sponsorship of Ann Arbor Public Schools. Victoria Day student received $4,000 from ABM Services scholarship and plans to attend Albion College in the fall. 

 This year, STRIVE had the honor in presenting four of our Pathways to Success seniors with scholarship awards: 

The Dib-dull Award for most improved GPA receiving $1,800 was awarded to Traniyah Bullock.

The Pierson Award for vocational interest and leadership potential receiving $2,000 awarded to Donaeja Green.

The Lester Award for best overall GPA receiving $2,400 went to LaNisha Carey. 

The Meyers Award for most improved GPA, receiving $3,000 went to Derrico Robinson.

Zingerman’s awarded LaNisha Carey, who was a participant in ZingPath with a $1000 scholarship.

For more photos, go to the AAPS Facebook Page. You can watch the complete CTN Broadcast of the Commencement Ceremony here.

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