Grizzlies Academy Celebrates First Graduating Class
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For a brief moment, on what was one of the best nights of his life, Grizzlies Academy student Lequinton Johnson felt a jolt of panic.
To that point, his night had gone perfectly. He was graduating high school as one of the members of the inaugural class of Grizzlies Academy. He was the valedictorian, and had delivered his speech flawlessly. But after hearing his name called and standing up to wave to the crowd, Grizzlies Academy teacher Amy Dorsey told Johnson not to sit down.
“She said, ‘Lequinton, remain standing,’ and I was like, ‘What did I do now?’ he said with a laugh after the graduation ceremony.
But Johnson wasn’t in trouble. Far from it. Instead, Dorsey informed him and the crowd that he had been awarded a $4,800 Hope Scholarship.
“I was about to cry, I had to hold it in,” he said.
It was a special moment for Johnson, as graduating from high school fulfilled a promise he’d made to his mother, who passed away several years ago.
“I’m praying that she’s looking down on me and saying that I’m doing something well,” he said. “That’s why I’m still here, that’s why I’m doing what I’m doing, it’s all for my mother.”
His mother would be proud. The entire faculty of Grizzlies Academy certainly was. Johnson was one of 13 students who received their diploma and class ring in a ceremony Tuesday night at FedExForum. He and his classmates comprised the first graduating class of Grizzlies Academy, which was opened three years ago by the Grizzlies Charitable Foundation to students who, for a variety of reasons, were at least two years behind in school.
Along with Johnson, the other graduating students were Derrick Branch, April Foster, Kyle Hart, Ritonya Holcomb, Jarrett Holt, Tyreka Jointer, Terrence Lee, Christell Sisco, Marcus Thomas, Christopher Walker, Corry Wells and Rodney Wiggins.
Along with Johnson, Kyle Hart also received a $4,800 Hope Scholarship for having the highest ACT score in his class.
“I was excited, because it’s less money that has to come out of my pocket to further my education,” he said.
Hart plans on attending the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga and studying Business Administration, and he realizes that Tuesday’s graduation, while being the culmination of years of hard work at the school, was also just the first step of a long journey ahead.
“It means a lot to me because it’s a means to an end. First you
have to graduate from high school, then it’s college then it’s on
to bigger and better things,” he said. “This is a big step for me
because I waited for this day. Everybody wants to graduate from high school,
and now I’ve done it so now it’s on to the next level.”
Throughout the night, a number of speakers congratulated the students on their
achievement, including Grizzlies Majority Owner Michael Heisley, President of
Basketball Operations Jerry West, President of Business Operations Andy Dolich
and Shane Battier, whose wife, Heidi, is a teacher at the school.
“I’m constantly impressed by you,” Shane Battier told the graduating class. “I know I have to bring my A game every time I come to Grizzlies Academy because I’m dealing with some sharp young adults. We’re all proud to call you Grizzlies.”
That pride extended to the students, who will forever be remembered as the first to graduate from the school.
“It hit me about two days ago when I was thinking about graduation. I was thinking how I’d be first, and how I’d be remembered for that. It hit me hard, and I really appreciate it. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to be the first,” said Hart.
And while the students will no longer be seeing each other every day in class, the three years they’ve spent together has created a bond that will last well into adulthood.
“My friends like Derrick, Corry, Chris, we made a brother bond,” said Johnson. “We were together, and whatever one went through, we went through. If one was close to failing, we all stood together and made sure he came up with us, so that’s my main thing, that we’re all here to share this special moment.”