Three of the most exceptional kids at Quitman High School experienced walked an aisle to graduate from the exceptional education program on April 17, 2026.
Treyvon Blakley, Jayden Powe, and Luke Sanderson each enjoyed a ceremony to celebrate their successful completion of school. Along with encouraging words from the teachers who are proud to see what they have accomplished over the years, they also enjoyed listening to a message from the keynote speaker, Dalton Smith.
After each of them were presented with a certificate and award for completing the program, the graduates addressed the crowd with a speech of their own.
Jayden Powe proudly proclaimed, “Hello, everybody. I am Jayden Powe. I want to take this time to say thank you. To my teachers, thank you for believing in me. To my bus driver, thank you for getting me to school. To my mom and grandmother, thank you for all you do for me. To Mrs. Shaw and Mr. Evans, thank you for the last four years. To Mr. Evans, thank you for keeping an eye on me every day. To Quitman School District, thank you for the past 12 years. Class of 2026, we’re out of here!”
Luke Sanderson then declared, “I would like to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to my family: my father, stepmother, brothers, and little sister. You have been my greatest support system, caring for me throughout my life and loving me even during the most difficult times. I love you all so much. I also want to thank all of my teachers, past and present: Mrs. Riley, Ms. Taylor, Mrs. Candace, and especially Mrs. Lowery. Mrs. Lowery, I am truly grateful for your encouragement and for guiding me through the highs and lows of high school while teaching me so much along the way. I also appreciate Mrs. Shaw and Mr. Evans for being such outstanding principals. Mr. Evans and Ms. Deborah, thank you for equipping me with skills that I can carry with me into any future job. To my classmates, I will truly miss you all. I encourage each of you to continue striving to be your very best.”
Treyvon Blakley then gave the last speech when he expressed, “I want to thank my mom and my granny for getting me to school and taking care of me.”
After their speeches, they enjoyed fellowshipping and eating a meal with everyone in attendance.
The school and students are thankful to the generous donations made by both individuals and businesses to make the ceremony for these amazing exceptional education students possible. Those who contributed to make the event memorable for these graduates were Anita Lowery, Bettye Dew, Bimbo Bakeries USA, the Clarke County Board of Supervisors, Bubba’s Catfish and Steakhouse, Bumpers, Candace Higgins, Ced’s Rib Shack, Chef Quinton Lowery, Chefski’s, Greer’s Cash Saver, Heather Kerr, Holiday Inn, Jennifer Riley, Los Totopos, M&M Florist, Piggly Wiggly Quitman, Piggly Wiggly Stonewall, Quitman Junior High S/C SPED class, Quitman School District Central Office, Quitman School District SPED Department, Riverside Grill, Rustic Freeze, Sandra Arrington, and T8 Fish and Smokehouse.
All three graduates enjoyed their graduation ceremony and will now continue to be successful outside the classroom with the skills they were taught at school. Each of them are truly exceptional.
