May 18, 2008

DURHAM -- More than 50 students walked across the stage at Duke University's Griffith Film Theatre on Saturday with Durham Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Chris Bennett's speech ringing in their ears.

"I'm counting on you," he said to the students graduating from Middle College High School, a program run by Durham, Orange County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City schools in conjunction with Durham Technical Community College.

Addressing the 350 parents and students seated in attendance, Bennett reminded them how much the world has changed in just his lifetime -- from four television stations, to the plethora of cable and satellite offerings available now. From the limited reach of radio to the global connections made possible by the Internet.

"Young people, did you know that you are entering a world that's changing rapidly?" he said. "We're preparing you for jobs and technologies that don't even exist."

The accelerated Middle College High School accepts juniors and seniors and combines honors high school classes and college classes in its curriculum.

Students there complete their high school courses at the same time they can pursue an associate's agree at Durham Technical Community College.

All the classes are free and include paid-for books. Many students graduated Saturday with as much as a year of college credit.

Angelica Powell, who delivered a speech at the ceremony, said she is heading to UNC in the fall, where she will study biology and enroll in ROTC.

"This is the place for motivating people, helping people succeed," the 18-year-old said as she clutched a bundle of white flowers and hugged fellow classmates congratulations.

"It's a great opportunity," she said.