A group of students received their high school equivalency diplomas Friday and are ready for the next step in their lives.
The achievement was celebrated at the Meridian Housing Authority’s 2026 YouthBuild Youth Development graduation.
The students, ranging in age from 16 to 24, earned their diplomas along with a nationally recognized certification in construction.
Twin States News spoke with graduate Kym’Mara Pearson, a first-generation college student who will soon begin the CNA program at Meridian Community College. “It feels pretty good, I mean I never thought that I would come this far, for real for real. So it’s pretty great for me,” Pearson said.
The YouthBuild program aims to help at-risk youth gain skills for in-demand jobs and further their education.