We Are Cumberland County Schools: Ready for a career, college and life
High school is a transformative experience, allowing growth, discovery and preparation for subsequent chapters. It is also a distinctive experience; every student will have different encounters with people, academics and life during those four pivotal years. But there is one arbitrary component of every high schooler's experience: It must come to an end. As mine concludes, I am led to reflect on the success of my experience.
There are a myriad of ways to measure the success of one's time in high school: for some, it's academic excellence; for others, athletic achievement; and for those who are time-challenged like me, it's having under 15 tardies in a school year. While those are all notable references to success, I believe that the value of my high school experience is not contingent on achievements but confidence in my ability to succeed in this next chapter of my life.
The next chapters, like high school years, are individualistic. For me, it requires a four-year degree; for others, it requires a two-year degree; and for some, it requires no degree at all. With every student forging their path, their high schools must support their post-secondary ventures.
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Cumberland County Schools understands that its diversity is not limited to race. It extends to interests, talents and abilities. Each student offers something different to society, and it is essential that students feel that their school system supports their wide range of offerings. Many students, whose paths do not include higher education, feel that the information they acquire in K-12 is futile, but CCS combats that notion with the diverse career opportunities it provides.
Connecting students with their passion
One of my closest friends is an aspiring cosmetologist who once struggled to connect the material covered in school to her future career. It wasn't until she learned she could take a cosmetology course at Fayetteville Technical Community College through the school district’s Career and Technical Education program that she realized how high school could support her vocational endeavors.
I saw a once-dispassionate person take a genuine interest in school because she found something that aligned with her purpose. CCS invested in her future and allowed her to develop skills to help her quickly transition into the workforce upon graduation and contribute to her local community.
For students like me whose path requires higher education, the opportunities are ubiquitous at CCS. My ultimate objective was to increase my academic capacity to thrive at a competitive institution. As an early college student, that capacity undoubtedly increased.
Most of my growth was a direct result of my high school teachers. When I took my first college class, I was shocked at its ease compared to some of my high school courses. I glided through college coursework because of the teacher's rigor and investment in their student's success. This rigor extends to all CCS high schools with programs like Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate.
Cumberland County Schools' success stories
Cumberland County Schools has had many success stories in various industries that reflect its diverse support. J. Harrison Ghee, an E.E. Smith High School graduate, is a Tony award-winning Broadway actor. Vic Blendz, a South View High School graduate, is a barber who has amassed a following of more than four million people on social media. Most notably, J. Cole, a Terry Sanford High School graduate, is a Grammy award-winning rapper.
These figures succeeded in different sectors, but each contributed to society. ‘These success stories’ often return to their respective schools to pay homage to its role in their development. Whether through a CTE program, an established arts program, or the basketball court, CCS helps students identify their distinct qualities and skills and provides a space to develop them, even if it's not directly related to academics.
Participating in organizations like the Student Government Association and Speech and Debate have allowed me to cultivate invaluable skills. SGA taught me about leadership, its challenges, and how to impact my community effectively. Speech and Debate taught me how to communicate with others and constructively express myself. CCS' support of these programs has allowed me to attend conventions to hone my leadership acumen and travel nationwide to compete on the national level. These organizations have had an immeasurable impact on my life and have prepared me for college and life.
Cumberland County Schools does an excellent job of reflecting the diversity of its students' interests and capabilities. The district’s efforts acknowledge every student and lets them know that even if they choose not to further their education at an institution of higher learning, the time spent at a CCS school will prepare them for the future.
Because of my ability to lead a team, effectively communicate with superiors, and grasp new knowledge in a lecture hall, I am more than equipped to obtain success in this next chapter. It is all due to the exposure, support, and preparation that Cumberland County Schools provided.
Jackson Bryant is a 2024 Graduate of Cumberland International Early College High School.
Note: A previous version of this story contained an incorrect school for Bryant.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: 2024 grad: Diversity in Cumberland schools not limited to race
