Georgia DJJ Awards Six High School, 21 GED Diplomas to Youth

(Decatur, GA) - The Georgia Preparatory Academy held a graduation ceremony for youth on Thursday, December 18, in Macon, Ga. Students were awarded six high school diplomas and 21 GED diplomas. Class leaders included the valedictorian from the Chatham County Education Transition Center (ETC), the salutatorian from the Macon Youth Development Campus (YDC), and the student with the highest GED score from the Atlanta YDC.

"I am excited to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our youth," said DJJ Commissioner Shawanda Reynolds-Cobb. "This important milestone serves as a launching point on their journey to higher education and career opportunities."

Michael O'Key, a second-year law student at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and a Ph.D. candidate at Stanford University, served as the commencement speaker. He shared his inspiring story through the juvenile justice system to his current work with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youth. "I became driven by my sense of justice and desire to make things better for the next person," said O'Key.

He also encouraged youth to take advantage of the opportunities they are provided and to work hard to accomplish their goals. "You have to operate from the baseline that you can do whatever you want to do," said O'Key. "So many people are rooting for you."

DJJ partners with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) to prepare students for a range of careers, including technical training through the Career Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program. CTAE students earned Barbering Fundamentals, Advanced Barbering, Nursery/Greenhouse, Prep Cook, Microsoft Computer, and Salon and Spa certifications. During the ceremony, 20 Technical Certificates of Credit (TCC) were awarded.

"DJJ educators are committed to ensuring youth obtain the resources and skills they need to succeed," said Dr. Letunya Walker, DJJ Deputy Superintendent of Schools. "Our graduates will now embark on a path to exploring college and career opportunities through the Connections Graduate Program."

DJJ facilities with graduates included Bob Richards, Crisp, Gainesville, Macon, Metro, Rockdale, and Terrell RYDCs, Atlanta, Augusta, Eastman, and Macon YDCs, and the Chatham and Muscogee County ETCs.

DJJ is the 181st school district in Georgia. Georgia Preparatory Academy (GPA) is the middle and high school, and Pathway to Success is the GED program within the school system. GPA and Pathway to Success are located at 28 campuses within DJJ's RYDCs, YDCs, and ETCs across Georgia. DJJ operates GPA with a curriculum that meets the education standards set forth by the Georgia Department of Education for all public schools.

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The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice is a multi-faceted agency that serves the state's justice-involved youth up to 21 years of age. The Department's mission is to transform young lives by providing evidence-based rehabilitative treatment services and supervision, strengthening youth and families' well-being, and fostering safe communities.