Local educators, political leaders and civic leaders gathered Tuesday to celebrate the 1,000th graduate from the Stubblefield Learning Center, located on FM 819.
Lauren DuBose, 17, of Diboll has spent the last year and a half working toward her high school diploma, which she will now receive this January due to the efforts of staff at the alternative learning facility.
Steven Alford/The Lufkin Daily News |
The 1,000th graduate from the Stubblefield Learning Center, Lauren DuBose, of Diboll (pictured right), poses with Diboll ISD Superintendent Gary Martel, at a luncheon in her honor Tuesday afternoon.
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"We're all so happy to be here today," Diboll ISD superintendent Gary Martel said. "There's 1,000 reasons why Stubblefield is such a great place to learn and today Lauren is our 1,000th reason."
Started 17 years ago as an idea between Angelina County superintendents during a team-building retreat, the Stubblefield Learning Center has grown to help hundreds of students graduate high school from each county school, more than half of whom have gone on to study further at Angelina College.
"It feels great to finally be through," DuBose said. "I'm looking forward to going to college and studying social work."
The young mother of a 15-month-old boy said if it weren't for the efforts of the staff at Stubblefield, she might not have finished high school.
"Back 17 years ago you could count on one hand the number of alternative learning centers in Texas," said Mary Ann Whiteker, Hudson ISD superintendent. "Now they are all over, helping those who might not otherwise finish school. It has truly been an effort on behalf of everyone to bring Stubblefield to what it is today."
Members of the Stubblefield family, also of Diboll, were present for the celebration, which staff said was fitting since the 1,000th graduate came from Diboll ISD. Larry Phillips, president of Angelina College, said for every graduate of Stubblefield, and area high schools, the junior college is willing to help them secure a higher education.
"All we can say to you today is don't stop now. We want to encourage all of you to continue your education no matter where it will take you," Phillips said.
Of the 1,000 graduates from Stubblefield, 511 students have come from Lufkin ISD, 120 from Diboll ISD, 172 from Central ISD, 126 from Hudson ISD and six from Zavalla ISD.
There have also been 65 Stubblefield graduates that have been sponsored by the Lufkin/Angelina County Chamber of Commerce, which sends students to the learning center that are over 21 years of age and want to get a high school diploma.
At the end of the ceremony a check for $1,000 was presented to DuBbose as well, on behalf of the Simon and Louise Henderson Foundation.
"This is a momentous occasion for not only Stubblefield, but for Angelina County," said Bob Brown, chairman for Stubblefield Learning Center. "The shows the 'can-do' attitude of where we live. Together, we can accomplish great things."
