Booker T. Washington graduates celebrated as 'achievers'

Sue Loughlin , The Tribune-Star, Terre Haute, Ind.
Updated ·4 min read

Booker T. Washington High School students who persevered in their goals of a high school diploma celebrated before proud family and friends during a graduation ceremony Friday night at South Vigo High School.

Among those crediting the school and its staff was student speaker Emiliana Parrish, who has attended the alternative program since her sophomore year.

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Commencement speaker Emiliana Parrish thanks the staff of Booker T. Washington High School for helping her achieve goals she didn’t think were possible during the school’s graduation ceremony Friday at Terre Haute South.

When she started there, “I had not earned a single credit during my first year of high school,” she said. “I had been struggling academically for years and I was only supposed to attend the school for one semester.”

But at the alternative program, “I was shown a kind of care and love that I couldn’t have experienced anywhere else. I can confidently say completing my high school journey here has ultimately put me on a better path,” Parrish said.

Part way through her speech, she became emotional as she described her experiences at the school.

While attending the program, she was able to take part in welding classes at Terre Haute South Vigo, which led her to be the first Washington student to participate in a career exploration internship.

The internship allowed her to observe and learn about the industry she would like to pursue as a career, and it helped her make connections and get real world experience, she said.

Parrish is now graduating on time with her class, with multiple dual credits and an internship under her belt. She will attend Ivy Tech in the fall and pursue welding.

Booker T. Washington “has truly been one of the biggest support systems in my life since I started attending and has helped me to reach so many achievements as well as see so many more opportunities for my future. Thank you teachers and staff for always being there,” she said.

She also received the Karen Turchi Perseverance Award.

School principal Cindi Hrovat told the Class of 2024, “You are not just graduates; you are achievers … You’ve discovered that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to education or life.”

She encouraged graduates with the message that “whatever you set your mind to, you can absolutely do it. But, above all, remember that the true measure of your success lies not just in what you achieve, but in the lives you touch and the positive impact you make.”

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Graduates of Booker T. Washington High School, including Jxsyn Simmons, center, are applauded by family, friends and staff after they accepted their diplomas Friday at Terre Haute South.

Among the 13 graduates were twin sisters Paige and Payden Shipman. Their entire high school experience has been at Booker T. Washington.

Paige has some medical issues and needed a smaller place to do school, she said. “It’s a good school. You feel safe; you feel welcome … great teachers, great principal.”

She’s happy to be graduating. “I feel like I’ve accomplished something,” she said.

Sister Payden has been right by her side; they were born just nine minutes apart.

They’ve always been in the same classes. They were told “we did better together,” Payden said.

She attended Booker T. Washington because she wanted to be with her sibling and look out for her.

Booker T. has been great, Payden said. “The teachers are what really make you come to school every day — the support they give you and the kindness and the love.”

Payden wants to pursue early childhood education, while Paige is considering being a vet tech.

Superintendent Chris Himsel told those gathered they were at a graduation to celebrate something good, and there are many good things in Terre Haute and Vigo County people should be proud of.

The Booker T. Washington graduates persevered and never gave up, and they had a supportive school staff who were there for them every step of the way to help them along, he said.

“We’re here to celebrate the good; I challenge you to continue to find good in our community to celebrate,” he said. “Congratulations to each of our graduates.”