18-05-2025
56 students say 'Farewell' to OIA on Saturday morning
Cassie Campbell, the first-year principal of Owensboro Innovation Academy (OIA), open the school's 10th graduation ceremony on Saturday morning by giving parents, staff and students a big 'thank you.'
'Thank you everyone for making my first year as the principal at Owensboro Innovation Academy one that I can remember,' she said. 'It takes a village and it takes a community to support these students and their dreams and I thank you for doing that everyday for them.'
Before the graduating students walked into the auditorium at Owensboro Christian Church, a video slideshow played for the audience, showcasing senior photos, along with baby photos, of all of the graduates of the class of 2025. Giggles and 'awww's could be heard as parents and friends watch for their students' faces on the screen.
Campbell explained that each year the graduating class chooses someone as a group to be the commencement speaker.
'This year's speaker is someone that most everyone has loved,' she said. 'I'd like to welcome Mark Moore, the principal of iMiddle School as the class of 2025's commencement speaker.'
Moore spoke, stating that remembered some of these students from 'way back in seventh grade when they carried backpacks larger than their confidence.'
Zamira McGhee, 17, could have one of those students since she started her journey at OIA as a seventh grader at iMiddle.
'I've been through both schools so I've gotten to know everyone really well,' she said.
McGhee said that she's enjoyed the opportunities that being a student at OIA have provided her.
'I love how I've been able to have more control over my education and learning while I'm trying to carve out my own path in life,' she said.
OIA, unlike other schools in the area, has a curriculum based around project learning and hands on experiences. Students are able to choose different pathways that interest them, such as computer science, biomedicine and engineering, and then they learn about those pathways through hands-on instruction, experiences and partnerships with the community.
'I appreciate how much the students have gotten to be able to get out into the community and build relationships,' Campbell said.
McGhee said that she was able to try out the biomedicine pathway and the computer science pathway, even taking her Advanced Placement exam in computer science.
'I guess I realized that neither of those avenues were exactly right for me, but I appreciate being able to discover that while I'm still in high school so that I can have a plan for college,' she said.
And that plan?
She's attending Transylvania University in Lexington with plans to study English.
'Ultimately, I'd love to be able to go to Georgetown in D.C. for law school,' she said.
Ace Skimehorn, 19, said that he's been able to make a great group of friends while he's attended OIA.
'I think that these are the friendships that are going to last forever. I call them my brothers,' he said.
Skimehorn participated in the engineering and computer science pathways while attending classes at OIA, and, he said, that he was able to learn what he didn't want to do in the future because of the project-based learning at the school.
'I learned that computer coding was not for me and that I preferred design more,' he said.
Skimehorn said that's happy that he's made it through high school and that he's ready to take his next steps at the University of Evansville. He plans to study mechanical engineering.
'I know all of the students know me for my handkerchief and that I bring it out whenever times get stressful and I just need to wipe my brow,' said commencement speaker Moore as the students laughed at the memories of their former mentor.
Moore advised students to remember three words as they begin their next chapters, 'trust, respect and responsibility.'
'Remember, your words and your choices have power, but you should remember to lead with responsibility and scroll passed problems. Everyone has a story and you just might not see it, so have respect for your daily choices while trusting in yourself. You have what it takes to go further,' Moore emphasized.
And, as a bit of a parting gift for the graduates, an ode to Moore was placed under each of the students' seats — a handkerchief.
'Your blood sweat and tears are not over,' he said as he instructed the graduates to look under their seats. 'Now you all have your own handkerchiefs to get you through. So, remember, wipe your brow and just get on with it.'
