APS Graduation Ceremonies Day 1: BEST, CSK, and KIPP Atlanta Collegiate

Spirits were high and the excitement was evident at McCamish Pavilion Tuesday at the first two APS commencement ceremonies for the class of 2022. 

BEST Academy and Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy (CSK) shared the floor of the arena as hundreds of proud parents, family members and friends cheered for the graduates. 

KIPP Atlanta Collegiate followed with a ceremony also filled with emotion. The cheering began as soon as the first students walked into the venue as excited family members and friends got a first glimpse of their graduate. 

Jala Birthá, Valedictorian of the class of 2022 closed out her speech to a standing ovation from her classmates by saying “You will achieve the success you define for yourselves…It’s your ball! It’s your ballgame!”

Haleigh Sallaway, the KIPP Salutatorian recounted in her speech the struggles of the pandemic including loneliness and the stress of virtual school. “Nobody can fully comprehend what we endured to get here,” she said to the crowd. 

You can watch all of the ceremonies LIVE on our Facebook page by clicking here as well as follow us on Twitter and Instagram for updates by searching for the handle @apsupdate.

The remaining schedule of APS graduation ceremonies continues Tuesday beginning at 11 a.m. with Midtown, followed by Douglass at 3 p.m., and Washington at 7 p.m. Graduates from Mays, Carver, and South Atlanta will receive their diplomas at 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. respectively on Thursday, May 26. Finally, on Friday, May 27, the Class of 2022 for North Atlanta, Jackson, and Therrel will gather at McCamish Pavilion for their graduation ceremonies.