'It's room for new beginnings': Emerson Academy graduates 36

The colors of black, red and white complemented the stage inside the auditorium of Owensboro High School as the 36-person graduating class of Emerson Academy were recognized during a commencement ceremony Tuesday evening.

“For many seniors this year, I think I can speak for everyone (that) we just kind of got through (it) together and grew as (a) family pretty much,” said Bailie Bentkowski, honor graduate and student speaker at the ceremony.

Bentkowski, 18, attended Emerson for the past two years. While Bentkowski said it “definitely feels good” closing this chapter in her life, she “(hates) endings” though she is looking on the brighter side.

“It’s a room for new beginnings,” she said. “We all kind of have our own little things going on.”

Bentkowski is currently a state registered nurse aide and plans to continue her trajectory in the healthcare field by attending Owensboro Community & Technical College in the fall to become a registered nurse in the neonatal intensive care unit.

“I love babies,” Bentkowski said. “... My papaw … has ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), so it’s taught me about the field that I want to be in, and I’ve had my niece a lot off-and-on so she’s the reason I want to be a NICU nurse.”

Laydan Crawford, fellow graduate and Bentkowski’s fiancé, said he arrived at Emerson “a couple days after senior year started” and felt it was the right place to be.

“There isn’t a school that I’ve walked into that (hasn’t) been more welcoming …,” he said.

Crawford, 19, works for the local business Pruden Tree Service and aims to attend welding school in the near future, following in the footsteps of his stepfather Bobby Seaton.

“My stepdad’s my hero,” he said.

Graduate Scott Wood spent a little over a year at the school and felt he, too, had a positive experience during his time as a student. Though he is uncertain of what his next steps are, Wood remains optimistic.

“It feels good … to start something new,” Wood, 18, said.

All three students found graduation to be a time of joy, especially with some of some obstacles each had to face along the way.

“To be honest, I didn’t really think I was going to walk the line to graduate,” Crawford said. “I left home … a couple days after my 18th birthday, … I moved in with my fiancée and I was pouring a little bit of concrete here-and-there and finally just said, ‘I want to do it.’ ”

Crawford attended Heritage Park High School “for a couple days” before deciding to forgo his education until Bentkowski encouraged him to look into Emerson.

Crawford credits Rocky White, the school’s principal and director of alternative education programs for Owensboro Public Schools, and Leah Embry, guidance counselor and administrator, for helping him stay on track.

“... They did their thing, and I got to graduate,” he said. “... I feel like I’ve (come) a long way, (Bailie’s) (come) a long way and I’ve known Scott for a while and I know he’s (come) a long way.”

Wood also felt he wouldn’t earn a diploma as he didn’t have many credits to graduate, but was able to persevere while also balancing his life as a father to his 2-year-old son.

“They were flexible as long as I told them (what was going on),” Wood said of the White and the staff.

White found the occasion to be “exciting” for both the students and staff as Emerson saw the “largest graduating class” walk across the stage.

“You see the growth of the students as they move through high school. Some of them had unique challenges, some of them had children to take care of, family members … to take care of,” he said, “so that precipitated them needing a non-traditional avenue to high school graduation which we were able to provide.

“There’s just a sense of immense pride that comes along with watching a child grow much like we do our own, and we value that …,” White said. “We’re excited as anyone to see them go off into their (futures).”

With her speech, Bentkowski wanted to recognize the school staff’s support and to also highlight a different perspective on institutions like Emerson.

“... We’re an alternative school and a lot of people look at us kind of like ‘alternative,’ ‘bad’ … — but it’s absolutely not that,” she said. “They give us more than enough chances to prove ourselves, see our potential and all of that.

“... (The staff) deserve every bit of a pat on the back (for their support) because they are truly great people.”

White echoed Bentkowski’s comments in regards to his team while also commending the students themselves.

“... There’s a deep sense of pride in what these kids have accomplished and it’s through their hard work and the staff’s hard work to make this possible,” he said.