There’s a saying, “He who does not toot his own horn; it does not get tooted!” Well, I think it’s high time that Natchez Adams School District tooted its own horn.

A few weeks ago NASD graduated its second founding cohort of Natchez Early College students with a total of 47 students in the class. For the second year in a row, some of these students made history by receiving their Associate of Arts Degree before receiving their high school diploma.

Twelve of the 48 NEC graduating seniors graduated from Co-Lin Community College with an Associate of Arts Degree. Eight of the 12 graduated with Phi Theta Kappa honors status; one with additional Mu Alpha Theta math honors; and another with the rank of Army Private.

In addition, seven students participated in a Science Field Experience opportunity in Pharmacy Tech, which affords them the opportunity to work as a pharmacy technician upon graduation and to sit for the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam.

On May 26 a second graduation celebration was held with these 47 graduates along with the other graduating seniors from Natchez High School and the Ombudsman Program.

Again, students who had earned special recognition donned National Honor Society, Beta Club or honor stoles, community service or blood drive cords and a host of other prestigious recognition items. What a send-off for these students — two graduation ceremonies in just about a two-week period of time.

“How is this possible?” you might ask. Well, a few years ago Natchez Adams School District and Co-Lin formed a partnership that would make it possible. Students who are interested in attending must complete an application and submit it before a given deadline.

Once applications have been screened, an interview is held. The application process is available to students in grades nine through 12. It is not necessarily the smartest students who show interest in attending Natchez Early College at Co-Lin. Many of those students are just your regular, everyday students who have the desire to achieve more.

If the student is selected to attend their tuition is paid by the district with funds that are reimbursed through Mississippi Department of Education. Just think of the money parents of these students are saving.

All of this year’s NEC graduates are either completing their course work at Co-Lin, transferring to other institutions of higher learning, enlisting in the military, or starting a career; some with more than 40 transferrable college credits.

The Natchez Early College at Co-Lin classes of 2017 and 2018 have set the bar high for those who are to follow. However, those of us who are a part of NASD know that this is not an insurmountable goal. To quote a phrase often cited by the administrators, students and parents of NEC participants, “Success is within reach at NEC@Co-Lin through rigor, opportunity and support!”

And so we at NASD take this opportunity to toot our own horn this year, and we invite each of you to get on board the Natchez Adams School District Education Train. We are enlisting your help to ensure that we continue to have great students, great schools and a great community: Where children come first.

Thelma S. Newsome is a member of the Natchez Adams School District board.