BY DEBBIE PAGE
The Career Academy and Technology School (CATS) honored 39 graduates from its iAcademy program on Thursday afternoon.
Graduate Riley Pfeiffer welcomed attendees after the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Blake Kincaid.
Pfeiffer praised the unique iAcademy program for meeting students’ individual needs and preparing them for the challenges ahead.
“We are exceptionally fortunate to have discovered a space that allowed us to challenge not only our academic abilities but our independence and time management skills too,” Pfieffer said. “We are now ready to usher in a fresh new beginning to our future.”
Pfieffer introduced special guests, including Superintendent Jeff James, Iredell-Statesville Schools Board Chair Doug Knight, board member Anita Kurn, CTE Director Tim Woody, Chief Officer of Student Services Shayla Savage, and Public Information Officer Jada Jonas.
James praised the iAcademy program as an alternative for students who want a different path than the one traditional public schools offer and one that better fits their individual needs.
Students get to select the academic or CTE courses that best fit their interests and goals.
“I hope that you now have a clear pathway for the future and are successful as you continue on,” James said. “This is not the end though. Life-long learning, you will find out, keeps you abreast of things that are going on, always makes you marketable, and provides an income to raise a family right here in Iredell County.”
Dignitaries and visitors who visit the CATS facility, the superintendent said, are impressed by what the school has to offer students.
“You will not find another facility like this in North Carolina,” James said.
Honor Speakers Gabriella Cangero, Ellsie Mohr, and Aidan Murphy delivered remarks to their classmates prior to the conferring of diplomas.
Cangero noted that the graduates did not reach this milestone on their own.
“Behind every achievement, every late night assignment, every test passed, and every moment of growth, there were people helping us along the way,” she said.
Cangero thanked the teachers who stayed after school to help or were available to answer questions nearly any time. She thanked her parents for their encouragement, belief in her, and their example of dedication, love, and sacrifice. She also praised the resilience the graduates developed while balancing school, jobs, sports, dual enrollment, earning certifications, responsibilities at home, and the pressure of figuring out their futures.
Mohr, who wants to pursue a career in the science field, appreciated the dual-enrollment opportunities available through the iAcademy to take advanced science and math classes at Mitchell Community College.
“Those classes taught me more than just the material itself. I learned responsibility, time management, and how to meet higher expectations,” Mohr said. “Success is not always about being perfect. It’s about showing up, putting in the effort, and continuing to move forward, even when things don’t go as expected.”
Murphy said that though his classmates may feel invincible today, moments of struggle will come in the future.
“It’s on those days when adversity feels closest that we should smile the most because without conflict, there can be no true accomplishments,” he said. “Life is short. Life is beautiful and fragile because we cannot truly control it. We control our actions, our words, but we can’t control time. I say that today not to scare us but to remind us that time is luck, so let’s not waste it living someone else’s life.”
After Career Development Coordinator Lauren Crawford’s recognition of students’ academic and credential accomplishments, Principal Larry Rogers addressed the graduates, reminding them to use technology in ways to connect to others and learn and not to let it separate them from family and friends.
Rogers also urged the Class of 2026 to aspire to become leaders, spreading acceptance and respect as they seek to unite people. “What part will you play in changing the world? If you believe in yourself, the rest will fall into place.”
He urged the grads to have faith in their abilities, to grow, and to work hard and do what they love as they seek to develop the strength to do what is right over what is popular.
Rogers then presented diplomas to the students, followed by the traditional turning of the tassels to signify their status as graduates.
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