Mentor surprises lunch buddy at graduation ceremony
Deneesha Edwards has developed a close relationship to her lunch buddy, Ja’Nia over the last three years. The pair met at Charles England Elementary School when Ja’Nia was in third grade. They recently celebrated her fifth grade graduation together.
When Ja’Nia arrived at Charles England Elementary School on June 7 to participate in her fifth grade graduation ceremony, she had no idea there was a special person waiting in the audience there to cheer her on.
Days earlier she had been told that her mentor, Deneesha Edwards, a reporter with The Dispatch, had a scheduling conflict and would not be able to attend the ceremony. Ja’Nia understood and was happy enough to know that Edwards would celebrate with her another time.
“My sister’s fifth grade graduation was the same morning as Ja’Nia’s graduation,” said Edwards, who recently was named the Donna H. Black Mentor of the Year for Charles England.
She was torn, but after careful consideration, Edwards made her decision. She explained to her little sister, who lives in Rowan County, that there was another child her age in need of support.
“I knew that my sister’s mother and other family members had plans to attend the ceremony in Rowan County. I chose to attend Ja’Nia’s graduation because I wanted to make sure she had someone in her corner rooting for her. Even though it was something so simple, I wanted my mentee to know she can count on me. I also wanted her to know that I am always there for her and whatever I can do to help her be successful, I definitely have her back,” said Edwards. “I know my sister will have more important graduations, from high school and college for example, that I will definitely attend.”
Ja’Nia was thrilled to receive this graduation gift from her mentor, Deneesha Edwards. After the ceremony the pair celebrated by taking a trip out for ice cream.
Edwards watched as her mentee of three years crossed the graduation stage and celebrated alongside Ja’Nia as she was presented with several awards.
“I was proud to attend the awards ceremony for Ja’Nia because not only did she receive a certificate of completion, she received certificates for perfect attendance for the fourth nine weeks and the Most Improved Reader award. Back in her classroom she received the Best Actor award,” said Edwards. “We talked about her awards, especially the Most Improved Reader award, because I wanted her to understand the outcome of working hard. We discuss grades all the time.”
Edwards gives the majority of the credit for Ja’Nia’s success to the teachers and staff at Charles England but she calls herself Ja’Nia’s biggest cheerleader.
“I let her now she can do whatever she puts her mind to. I’m hoping she will take everything she learned from her teachers at Charles England and what we talk about with her to Lexington Middle School,” said Edwards. “As a mentor, I was just excited to be able to share Ja’Nia’s special day with her. She was happy, so I was happy.”