Dougherty Comprehensive High School celebrates 'Miracles on the East Side' in class of 2025 graduation
ALBANY – Dougherty Comprehensive High School Principal Jerry Sanders wants everyone to know that the 'miracle bus stopped by 1800 Pierce Ave. again.'
On Friday, 260 of those miracles walked across the stage at the Albany Civic Center as graduates of DCHS. Fifty of them graduated with honors, earning a 3.5 grade-point average or higher.
'These children had to go through rocks and ridges to get here today,' Sanders said. 'I got a list today, and the list is long because that's what Trojans do. We go above and beyond, and we still make it, even though the roads might get rough, the hills might get high. … Trojans make it through anyhow.'Kanijah Holliday gives her salutatorian speech. Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganKanijah Holliday was honored as the school's salutatorian. Through extracurriculars like 4H and Beta Club, she expressed her creativity as a photographer and videographer. She'll attend Georgia State University in the fall as a Film and Media Studies major to pursue her passion for storytelling through visual arts.
She joked with her fellow graduates that high school was a 'group project we volunteered for, a never-ending drama series and a pop quiz we didn't quite study for.'
'Despite it all, here we are Class of 2025,' Holliday said. 'We may not have every solution, but we carry with us the strength of perseverance, countless memories and just enough energy to chase down our ambitions. We are a generation forged by change.'
Samantha Aberdeen was honored as the school's valedictorian. Aberdeen was a highly involved student, serving most notably as secretary of the Beta Club. Her peers described her as 'an avid reader … active in her church' who 'enjoys helping others.' She'll attend Mercer University to study Biology and eventually chase her aspirations as a teacher and lawyer. Samantha Aberdeen gives her valedictorian speech. Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganAberdeen said high school was a chapter with lessons, extending beyond the classroom – that success is about more than just grades, but about resilience.
'With the world evolving faster than ever, our voices, our actions and our dreams have the power to shape it, whether we are heading to college, starting careers, serving our country, starting businesses, starting families, or venturing into the unknown,' she said. 'We survived those early morning classes, the late nights and the moments where we thought we couldn't do it. We are proof that perseverance works, that growth is possible, and that each of us is capable of achieving greatness.'
DCSS Superintendent Kenneth Dyer addressed the eastside graduates. He applauded them for weathering challenges from the start of their journey, including a global pandemic and natural disasters.
'You've proven strength isn't just about physical endurance,' Dyer said. It's about showing up when it's hard, speaking up when it matters, standing tall when life tries to knock you down. Your village is proud of you, part of what you become, and proud of what you are becoming.'
He reminded graduates that they are only reaching the beginning of life's journey.
'The world you're entering needs your realness,' Dyer said. 'It needs your compassion. It needs your creativity, your hustle and your heart. Whatever path you choose … do it with purpose. Don't just see success, but also see significance.'
Sanders presented a diploma to the mother of Carlos Donnell Lamar, a Trojan who passed away in 2022. From left: Jerry Sanders and Kenneth Dyer present a diploma to the mother of Carlos Donnell Lamar, a 'fallen Trojan.' Staff Photo: Lucille Lannigan
'Carlos could not be here with us today, but we would not be Trojan nation if we did not honor his mother and have her come today and walk for her son because he could not walk for himself,' Sanders said.
The rest of the evening remained filled with tears and cheers as the DCHS class of 2025 rose to receive its diplomas.
'Congratulations class of 2025,' Aberdeen said. 'We did it. We did it. We did it.'DCHS honors students who have lost loved ones. Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganPrincipal Jerry Sanders congratulates the DCHS class of 2025. Staff Photo: Lucille LanniganParents cheer as their students enter. Staff Photo: Lucille Lannigan
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