1st Commencement Ceremony in The Hills!

June 2008 - Round 2008

by Cameron Masters, Editor

Elmer Valdes, Rashid Cunningham, and Erline Valdes  (Marchon Cunningham is not pictured.)

(See their graduation ceremony HERE!)

The first high school grads of our time have finally graduated!  These teens are our future and let me tell you...the future looks bright!  


The prestigious Magnolia Ballet Academy was home to our first ever commencement ceremony on Saturday. The program was brief but very touching.  Many accolades were given for the patience and nurturing provided to these students over the years.  

At one time, Elmer and Erline Valdes were flunking out of school and were threatened to be taken away by the social worker.  With a lot of perseverance by their mother, Emerita Valdes, along with Nick Michels, they commissioned The Administration to bring our own private school here, thus CPS was born!  The benefits of this contribution have proven results, as Elmer and Erline are both graduating with honors!


"It's not often you see families so dedicated to education as these two families are.  You do the best you can with your kids and hope they'll make something out of themselves, despite their adversities."  Dr. Trinity Dalton, Medical Advisor, stated.


Erline Valdes recently became a teen mom and despite that fact, she was able to keep her honors status and graduate.


"Well before I got pregnant, I was almost finished with the requirements I needed to graduate.  It wasn't hard to make up the last couple credits I needed.  I won't say it hasn't been difficult because it has.  I missed out on pretty much my entire Senior year, but my family has been really helpful with the baby, while I crammed through my final exams.  I wouldn't know what to do without them."  The young mother smiled.

Mayor Cunningham not only distributed diplomas on Saturday, but the Valdes twins also received a Certificate of Excellence signed by the Mayor himself.  

(Example Certificate)

The Scholarships Won and Their Plans For College:

Marchon Cunningham

Valedictorian

*Won 3 scholarships to attend the University of Riverdale,

and maintained an A+ average before graduating high school at age 16.  He is majoring in Politics.*

Elmer Valdes

$1,000 SimCity Scholar's Grant for maintaining an A+ average.

$750 Will Wright Genius Grant in Logic

Plans to attend Sims State University and major in Art.

Erline Valdes

$1,000 SimCity Scholar's Grant for maintaining an A+ average.

$750 Kim Metro Prize for Hygienics in Cleaning

Plans to attend WilTech Community College and study Business.

Rashid Cunningham

$1,000 SimCity Scholar's Grant for maintaining an A average.

Plans to attend Sims State and major in Physics.

Elmer Valdes and Rashid Cunningham plan to leave for Sims State in early July 2008 to begin SSU's Summer Enrichment Program, that promotes early graduation.

We wish these kids all the best as they strive to achieve their goals!