The Bridge Academy in Selma, an adult education program aimed at providing older learners with high school diplomas, held its graduation ceremony Saturday at the Walton Theater.

The academy was founded by John and Cece Grayson, who currently serve as the academy’s President and Vice President respectively, alongside Cynthia Hobbs, who serves as the academy’s Dean of Instruction, in 2017.

The first graduating class of just over 50 students was honored with a ceremony in Montgomery last year – this year’s class of more than 70 included graduates from Elmore, Autauga, Lowndes, Montgomery, Baldwin and Russell counties.

Among those graduating Saturday were Melvin and Idella Parker, 77 and 72 respectively, who didn’t let their children know they were finally earning their high school diplomas until a couple of days before the ceremony.

“It means a great deal to be graduating and have our children here,” said Idella Parker, noting that the couple has five children, 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Toinetta Maia Sutton, a mother of five working two jobs, was this year’s Valedictorian with a 4.2 GPA. Sutton has already been accepted to college and plans to study to become a nurse.

“This is a service we’re doing for anyone, not just for Selma,” said Cece Grayson. “I think it’s just a blessing to so many people. If you get people a high school diploma, that’s a great start.”

While Cece Grayson recognizes the value of simply having a high school diploma, she also believes the academy can play a vital role in curbing the rash of violence that has plagued Selma over the last few years.

“If you give people a base, they feel like they’ve something,” Cece Grayson said. “We’re hoping they’ll put down the guns and pick up a college application. To give people value and make them feel valuable, that in itself can help get some of these guns off the streets.”

When The Bridge Academy was launched locally, the Graysons partnered with Hobbs, who was tutoring GED students, and leaned heavily on Cece Grayson’s experience as a more than 20 year employee of Concordia College.

The academy is accredited and uses a curriculum approved by the Alabama Department of Education (ADOE) and can be completed in its entirety online, a benefit currently being employed by a student from Qatar.

The majority of the program’s students, 95 percent, go on to attend Trenholm State Community College and Career Coach Michael Thurman was on hand for Saturday’s ceremony.

“[Bridge Academy] gives them a second chance at life and achieving life goals,” Thurman said. “IT gives them a shot at achieving something they’ve always dreamed of.”

And though none of this year’s graduates were from Dallas County, Cece Grayson is optimistic that the program is building steam.

“Hopefully, the word will get out,” Cece Grayson said. We’ve already started receiving calls. That’s a great sign.”

Selma’s Bridge Academy will be accepting applications for its 2020 class later this summer.