Delivering an unforgettable speech, CEO, Christopher Garlin shared his memory of students he met when they were in the third grade. "The students who were in classes situated on both sides of my office", have grown into spectacular young men and women, ready to enter high school. 

Receiving a school ring is a rite of passage usually reserved for high school and college juniors. 

At Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School, however, the traditional school ring adorns the fingers of eighth-graders as they bring elementary and middle school careers to a close.

"Many of them have spent more years here than they will at any other school," said Mr. Garlin. "This ring means more to many of them than their high school rings will."

That meaning could not have rang more true than for Amelia Parkinson, whose teary-eyed father kissed her ring-adorned hand in solidarity as she wiped tears from her eyes at the ceremony.

Students and parents applauded principal, James Brewer and teachers who worked to make the event a most memorable occasion.

In all, twenty-two members of the Class of 2017 received their school rings at the Jacques d'Amboise Theatre on May 26, 2017. The event was concluded with a luncheon for families.

See the photos of the ceremony and luncheon here.