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An Editorial Opinion of The Selma Times-Journal

The Class of 2025 is graduating this month. Several colleges and universities have already held graduation exercises.

Locally, Wallace Community College Selma held their graduation on Friday. One thing that we noticed about the graduates is that several of the graduates haven’t even received their high school diploma yet.

Yes, you read that right.

That is due to dual-enrollment. Many high school students are taking dual-enrollment classes at their high school. Selma, Dallas County, Keith, Meadowview Christian, Ellwood and Morgan will all have ceremonies in the coming days, but some of their students have already walked across the stage at WCCS to get their associate’s degree.

It’s crazy to think that many high school students already have a two-year degree before walking on their high school graduation night.

That is a tribute to WCCS and the schools working together to make the dreams of their students come true. When students graduate high school, the goal is to not just make them ready to go to a four-year college or university. The goal is to be “college and career ready.” When the students map out their high school careers, they have opportunities now to get certifications in addition to their high school diploma, which they could use to go into the workforce or build on that certification at the college or university level.

And they could hold a job in the field they are interested in while they are working their way through college.

While we have a lot of high-achieving students, we also want to recognized the “thank-ya laude” students as well. Getting their diploma at any level might be a huge deal.

Congratulations to all of the graduates and best wishes in the future!