Over 150 Blackburn Laboratory Middle School 8th graders marched into the Rose E. McCoy auditorium on Tuesday, June 2 for the school’s annual Class Day honors ceremony as a host of parents and other family members cheered them on.
Dr. Valerie Bradley, principal of Blackburn Laboratory Middle School, addressed the students shortly after they took their seats.
“Success is not measured by how high you’ve climbed but by how many people you bring with you,” said Bradley.
Other notable guests included Dr. Daniel Watkins, Dean of JSU’s College of Education and the keynote speaker, Mr. Will Revies, a former administrator of Blackburn Laboratory School.
Dr. Watkins briefly addressed the students in attendance.
“The first thing I want to tell you is that you are the best,” said Watkins. He went on to encourage them to be diligent in their endeavors and aim for success in all that they do.
Shortly after, Revies took the podium to further encourage the soon to be middle school graduates.
“Education is going to open up all the possibilities that you need,” said Revies. “No one ever achieves great success by doing only what is required of them,” he added.
Following the keynote address, Bradley and her staff presented several of the Blackburn students with awards for academic, service and athletic achievements.
The ceremony was made possible through the relationship the JSU has formed with Blackburn Middle School to support academic excellence at the school.
“We are very fortunate to have Jackson State as supporter, backer and partner because they do anything for us in terms of academics and support,” Bradley said. “Whenever we call, they are there. We just look forward to forging our relationship because it can only help benefit our students and the community as a whole.”