From COVID to Commencement: The Class of 2023

“I think what I’ll miss most about this school is the community and connection with the teachers and students,” Jermis Abreu said. “We’re like a family here.”

Jermis is a graduating senior at BCS’ Brooklyn High School for Leadership and Community Service (BHSLCS), where he recently graduated alongside forty seniors on Friday, June 23rd. For Jermis and his fellow graduates, this graduation ceremony symbolizes a “second chance” for them to gain their diplomas, after struggling academically at their former high schools.

BHSLCS serves 220 students who have either fallen behind their classmates in conventional high school settings or have previously dropped out. The high school provides a student-centered and personalized educational experience that empowers students to become fully participating community members and lifelong learners. To do this, BHSLCS assigns each student to an advocate counselor who supports them academically, socially and emotionally throughout their academic journey.

Notably, Jermis and the rest of the BHSLCS class of 2023 began at the high school just as the COVID-19 Pandemic became the world’s new normal. Despite virtual school and the many obstacles students faced throughout the pandemic, the students never lost sight of their academic goals. The Class of 2023 saw a 25% increase in graduates compared to the previous year!

“Graduation is when it all comes full circle,” said Falyne Brown, the school’s site director. “It means so much to me to see what students have overcome, and to see how they’ve changed as individuals from the day they walked into the school to today, graduation day. It’s empowering to see their growth.”

The high school’s commencement ceremony featured speeches from class valedictorian, Raivon Gray and keynote speaker, Reverend Dr. Rashard Moore. Moore spoke to students about the importance of finding their passion and joy in the next stage of their lives.

For teachers and counselors at the school, the graduation ceremony proved significant and rewarding. These students faced many challenges throughout their high school journey, like economic stress, familial strife, legal trouble, community violence and more – and BHSLCS teachers were with them every step of the way. As the students walked the stage to accept their diplomas, guidance counselor Latica Greer shared a personal detail about each one of them.

On what he is most excited about for graduation and post-grad life, Jermis smiled and said, “For today, I’m excited to see my family. For after graduation… well. I’m excited to start college and start this new life.”