Graduation at a Virtual School
The stage is set, and the podium is aligned in the center for the Keynote Speaker to welcome and honor students. Lines of excited, yet anxious, students surround the lower corridors of the auditorium. Proud parents, family members, and friends sit in the audience in anticipation of the upcoming ceremony. You guessed it, it’s graduation day!
How does graduation work at a virtual school? How would we bring together groups of students, from across the globe, to provide them with an unparalleled graduation ceremony? That was the charge for the K¹² International Academy faculty and staff. To bring to life this monumental event for students in different countries, different time zones, and with different expectations and goals.
Months of careful planning by the iCademy Graduation Committee culminated in Graduation 2010, which took place on Wednesday, August 4th at 12:00pm EST. By no coincidence, the festivities took place during the annual face-to-face iCademy Teacher training in Orlando, Florida. By overlapping these two important events, we were able to collectively attend Graduation, piped in via webcam during the Elluminate ceremony. Yours truly was fortunate enough to serve as the Master of Ceremonies, providing the background and transitions during the ceremony. Guest Speakers included Class Valedictorian, Miss Emily Towner, who graduated with honors; Head of School, Mrs. Darby Carr; and Bruce Davis, K¹²’s Executive Vice President of Worldwide Business Development. Having visited over 100 countries, and fluent in various languages, Mr. Davis provided the perfect fit for our international environment. He addressed graduates as “innovators and real-world education pioneers”, noting that they are among the most elite of graduates in their efforts and achievements.With a captive audience, Mr. Davis was a wonderful reminder of how we all work together to support our students, both near and far.
Mr. Joe Berry, School Counselor, and Jon Yeager, School Registrar, gave opening and closing speeches for attendees. The Senior Slideshow, put together in Elluminate, was a great visual component of the ceremony. Each graduate was honored with an individual slide with their picture and future plans. It was a full house of teachers, staff, administrators, students and parents. With 23 graduates, in countries as diverse as Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and Haiti, we had the largest graduating class to-date. And our growth will continue in the months and years to follow!
In the words of our talented, bright Valedictorian, “So I encourage you all to join me as we strive to persevere against all odds, to maintain an optimistic attitude even in the face of adversity, and to above all be grateful for everything and everyone who has helped us become who we are today. Thank you, and congratulations class of 2010!” Carpe Diem to K¹² International Academy’s Class of 2010!