>> PATH TO GRADUATION
Baldwin High School hosted its first Commitment to Graduate Ceremony on Sept. 14 for the class of 2026.
Ninth-grade assistant principal Dr. Tyrone Gonder and ninth-grade counselor Christy Hinton spoke to 375 freshman students about commitment, high school years, making goals and graduating.
“This ceremony was a celebration to welcome them to high school and an introduction to what commitment means,” said Gonder. “This ceremony will be a memory that they can look back on and say they fulfilled their commitment.”
During the ceremony, students received a certificate, which they signed as part of their commitment, and a bracelet. In addition, students signed their names on a gown and a banner that will be displayed in the halls as a reminder to their commitment.
“All of the items that they signed will be displayed in the halls and the certificate each of them received went home with them. They will serve as reminders of the promise each of them made and when our students struggle, they can look at something physical to remind them of how they felt that day,” said Hinton.
Ninth grader Kemon Solomon signed his commitment certificate because he felt empowered to achieve. With the goal of becoming a computer programmer or video game developer after high school, he expressed that the ceremony helped him realize how high school could prepare him for that future.
“I signed my commitment certificate because they made me feel like I could achieve something,” said Solomon. “I’m excited for high school and I plan on letting my teachers guide me so I can learn about life and how I can prepare for my future.”
Another ninth grader, Jemia Stubbs, signed her commitment certificate as a reminder to her goals for high school. She wants to excel in her classes and improve her mathematical skills.
“Signing that certificate and the banner was like metaphorically shaking hands on a deal to complete my goals,” said Stubbs. “I want to improve my math skills, raise my grades, never be tardy and challenge myself.”
Stubbs further stated that the ceremony was a very good introduction to high school because it reminds students of the value of their efforts and how that will directly impact their futures.
“In Oak Hill Middle School, we are walking over a bridge.
We have a steady pace and handrails to keep us on track.
High school is so different. Here (at Baldwin High School) you’re taking a leap that holds a lot of risk. You can’t leisurely walk your way through and have a good outcome,” said Stubbs.
“High school is about challenging yourself to be the best and committing to get to that finish line with your diploma.
Our grades and our choices have more weight here and that ceremony reminded us of that and motivated all of us to be our best.”
Baldwin High School hopes to make the commitment ceremony a tradition for all incoming freshman classes in years to come.
“We are so excited to be able to help our high schoolers from day one and set a foundation for their next four years,” said Hinton. “This is a commitment not only to graduate high school but to do so college, too, and be career ready.”