The New Learning Resources Online program at Families First has been deemed a success.
“The program works,” declared Janice Galloway, NLRO facilitator, Families First Resource Center.
The program celebrated its first graduate during a noontime ceremony on Sept. 13.
Darriell Markesia Orlandria Jackson received her high school diploma and center Director Ben Gaston attributed the accomplishment to her profound dedication.
“Darriell is one of the most persistent people I’ve ever seen. As soon as she got in the program, she was down here seeing Janice and working every day,” Gaston said.
Gaston dubbed Jackson the program’s “first milestone.”
She was in the Gentry High School class of 2018 and was one of the students who did not complete the necessary requirements, which prevented her from graduating.
“But she didn’t let that stop her,” Galloway asserted.
Galloway also credited SCCSD Superintendent, Miskia Davis and counselor Lora Dean for their assistance and working closely with the program.
“It was because of them that this program worked as well,” she said.
Jackson said, “I just want to thank you all for allowing me another chance to get my diploma and to further my education.” Jackson has plans to enroll at Mississippi Valley State University in January.
Galloway said Jackson came to her in July with the desire to graduate and enter MVSU for the fall term, however circumstances that were beyond their control prevented the timely completion.
In the interim, Galloway has already made arrangements through a Sunflower Humphreys Counties Progress program, headed by Leronda Sibley, that will assist Jackson with her ACT prep.
“Although we can do that here, she (Sibley) has a program that is going to pay her,” Galloway said.
She added that once the students leave their program it is their goal to make sure they are able to transition into other things. Sibley’s program would reportedly provide opportunities for the young people to be placed with local businesses for on–the-job training and get paid while performing the duties.
The Families First for Mississippi center has been operational in Indianola since January 2018. In February, Gaston and Galloway presented the NLRO initiative to the members of the SCCSD board in the hope that the students would be able to take advantage of the opportunity and graduate through the program if necessary.
Although the diplomas may have a different name on it, New Learning Resources School District, the local high school still gets the credit according to a statement Galloway made at that meeting.
The NLRO is a state, regionally, and nationally accredited distance learning program that provides a dual-enrollment opportunity for students who are in danger of not graduating. The curriculum is fully accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the students who successfully complete the program will receive their high school diplomas.
