Connecting Henry has recently graduated 16 students from its “Students Working to Achieve Greatness” (S.W.A.G.) Program.

  However, due to COVID-19, their traditional graduation plans were put aside and a cap and gown photoshoot has taken its place.

  On Friday, June 26, the graduates gathered in Big Springs Park in McDonough to celebrate the occasion of their graduation with their fellow classmates, instructors, and family members.

  Despite having to cancel their traditional graduation ceremony, staff at Connecting Henry still made a point to recognize their graduates in a special way.

  “We still wanted to provide a cap and gown experience with professional headshots and a class photo,” said Taylor Welch, Assistant Director of the S.W.A.G. Program. “Everything that a typical high school graduate gets, they are still getting, like a cap and gown, a 2020 tassel, and a gift.”

  Of the 16 graduates, eight are currently employed, two are joining the military, and the other six are not working due to COVID-19.

  Since the S.W.A.G. Program’s start in 2014, Connecting Henry has graduated 170 students.

  The program provides academic instruction and life skills to eligible students that are out-of-school and are considered “at risk.”

  According to the Connecting Henry website, they offer “free, personalized GED preparation classes and provide Entrepreneurial Skills Training, Leadership Development, Financial Literacy Education, Safe Dating, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Awareness, Comprehensive Counseling, and Job Readiness Training.”

  “The program is not only for the students to earn their GED but to give them a pathway to be sustainable in life,” said Welch. “The students are not just here to earn their GED and be done. They must find a job or go off to college, something to provide financial stability long-term.”

    In light of the coronavirus pandemic, Connecting Henry has also had to make some changes to their program during this session, to include suspending face-to-face classes until further notice and holding GED classes online for students via Zoom with one-on-one tutoring available.

  Their graduation rate for this year was also impacted, as the GED testing centers are closed due to COVID-19.

  The S.W.A.G Program usually graduates 30 to 40 students from their program each graduation cycle. However, this cycle has seen half that number graduate.

  “Our graduation rate is down over 50% because the testing centers are closed,” said Welch.

  However, in light of the setbacks, Barbara Coleman, Executive Director of Connecting Henry, stated that graduating from the program is still a significant event in the lives of the students.

  “These students have worked hard to earn their GED, and most of them never thought they would walk across a stage after dropping out of high school,” said Coleman. “Graduating from the S.W.A.G. Program is a huge accomplishment and a major milestone for them.”

  Graduate Kyle Hernandez stated that her experience in the S.W.A.G. Program has been “really positive.”

  “I really enjoyed the environment with all the teachers and the students,” said Hernandez. “It was a much better learning experience than a normal high school.”

  Hernandez is currently taking a Business Management course at Southern Crescent Technical College.

  Zoe Cannon, another graduate, said that receiving her GED certificate through the S.W.A.G. Program has given her “freedom” and that “the impossible is possible.”

  Although she does not have any specific plans following graduation, she states that her future looks “bright.”

  The S.W.A.G. Program is free and is available to eligible out-of-school Henry County residents between 16-24 years old.

  For more details about the S.W.A.G. Program, call Connecting Henry at 770-288-6230 or visit www.connectinghenry.org.