Across North Georgia, the Class of 2026 marked graduations with honors cords, scholarship announcements, career dreams, hard-won perseverance stories, and proud family tributes.

After The Cute North Georgian Magazine put out a call for local graduates, readers from across North Georgia and beyond responded with photographs, stories, and celebrations of students completing both high school and college. Some graduates submitted their own accomplishments, while parents, grandparents, aunts, and loved ones proudly shared the milestones of students they have watched grow into adulthood.

From first-generation college graduates and ROTC scholarship recipients to aspiring journalists, welders, performers, wildlife managers, and dental hygienists, the submissions painted a portrait of a generation stepping into adulthood with determination and ambition.

Athens Technical College

Lyric Nova Heisman submitted her graduation story after completing a dual enrollment program through Athens Technical College.

She earned both her high school diploma and two technical college certificates, including credentials in early childhood education and child development.

Personal note: Heisman was part of the very first class I ever taught as a first-year teacher — a clever writer, a thoughtful thinker, and even then, someone with a remarkable depth.

Habersham Central High School

Michelle Lee Carney submitted a tribute to her daughter, Hannah, who graduated from Habersham Central High School after overcoming significant obstacles.

“Nobody was stopping her from making it to graduation,” Carney wrote.

Carmel Love submitted a graduation tribute for Tamara Golden, a graduate of Habersham Central High School, praising her hard work, determination, and strength.

Dina Dawes Brown submitted the story of her son, Braden Brown, who graduated from Habersham County. Brown shared that her family moved from Kentucky to Georgia in 2017 and that Braden persevered despite challenges associated with autism and ADHD. She said he plans to attend North Georgia Technical College with hopes of pursuing photography professionally.

Erica Turner Blalock submitted that her daughter graduated with a 4.2 GPA and plans to attend the University of Georgia this fall to study journalism.

Tiffany Brookshire submitted a heartfelt tribute to her niece, Kaylee Caudell, a graduate of Habersham Central High School.

“She deserves a future as bright and beautiful as she is,” Brookshire wrote. “Words can never express how proud I am of her.”

Kathy C. Crane submitted a tribute to her grandson, Carter Crane, an honor graduate of Habersham Central High School. Carter plans to attend Lanier Technical College this fall.

Julia T. Braswell celebrated her daughter, Chloe Braswell, an honor graduate who completed her high school credits during her junior year while balancing dual enrollment coursework and nearly full-time work as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Chloe plans to pursue a career in the surgical technology and nursing field.

Kezia Smith Hughes submitted congratulations for Harrison Hughes, who is currently dual enrolled at North Georgia Technical College. He plans to continue taking core classes while exploring his future career path.

Thad Oglesby shared that his oldest daughter graduated from Habersham Central with honors.

Leighann Vidrine submitted a tribute to her daughter, Hannah Vidrine, who graduated from Habersham Central High School and plans to attend the University of North Georgia this fall to become a teacher.

Lakeeta Kay Porterfield celebrated her daughter, Ka’Bren MaKena Porterfield, encouraging her to continue reaching for the stars and dreaming big.

Elaine Southard-Smith submitted congratulations for her grandson, Ben Dodd, who graduated from Habersham Central High School. She also celebrated her granddaughter’s fifth-grade graduation from Level Grove Elementary School.

Kathy Crocker submitted congratulations for her niece, Myrikal Brown, who graduated from Habersham Central High School.

Brittany Maichryc celebrated her daughter, Aubrey Maichryc, who graduated from Habersham Central and plans to attend Brenau University. Maichryc described Aubrey as a passionate and outgoing student who excelled in both academics and cheerleading, maintaining straight A’s even while overcoming a concussion.

Christy Bellew Burgess submitted a tribute to her grandson, Sawyer Burgess, an Eagle Scout and honor graduate. Sawyer plans to attend Clemson University and pursue a degree in the medical field.

Banks County High School

Noel Wade submitted a graduate from Banks County High School.

Gage Wade hopes to pursue auto mechanics and eventually open his own shop.

Mallory Fain submitted a moving tribute to her daughter, Elizabeth, who graduated from Banks County High School with honors and multiple achievement cords. Elizabeth has already begun studying dental hygiene at Lanier Technical College.

“She is fearless, she is strong, she is determined, smart, funny, and caring,” Fain wrote.

Sheila McCutcheon submitted the name of Banks County graduate Lane Morris, the son of Amanda Smith Morris.

White County High School

Nancy London submitted a tribute for her daughter, Ella Black, who graduated from White County High School and plans to attend the University of North Georgia to study theater and music.

Amelia Brown submitted a celebratory post for her daughter, Serenaty Brown, who graduated from White County High School.

Jessica Walter Edwards shared that Leila Edwards graduated with honors from WBHS.

Kayla Daniels submitted congratulations to Isaiah Segura, who graduated from White County High School and plans to become an electrician.

Rabun County

Mandy Houston shared that her daughters, Sarah and Grace Houston, are both embarking on exciting new chapters.

Sarah Houston is headed to Western Carolina University to study forensic anthropology, while Grace Houston will attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) to pursue wildlife management.

The sisters transferred from Highlands School in North Carolina to Rabun County after COVID to complete middle school. According to their mother, the transition proved transformative.

“To say they have flourished at a larger school is an understatement,” Houston wrote. “Sarah developed into an exceptional athlete and scholar, while Grace discovered both who she was meant to be and the path she hopes to follow in life. They are amazing girls.”

Fannin County High School

Bree Collar submitted a post celebrating her daughter Olivia, who graduated from Fannin County High School and plans to attend the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega.

North Forsyth High School

Robin Wetherington Purdy submitted the accomplishments of her son, Jackson, who graduated with honors from North Forsyth High School and earned a competitive Army ROTC scholarship.

Purdy noted that more than 12,000 students apply nationally for the scholarship and only a fraction receive it. Jackson plans to attend the University of North Georgia, one of the nation’s six senior military colleges.

Success Academy

Nikki Duncan submitted a graduation tribute for her son, Kaleb Crocker, a graduate of Success Academy.

“I couldn’t be more proud of him,” Duncan wrote.

Midway University

Sheila Ann Vernon-Crowe submitted her own achievement, sharing that she graduated from Midway University in Kentucky with a 4.0 GPA and earned her MBA at nearly 53 years old.

North Georgia Technical College

Ryan Anderson self-submitted her achievement after graduating from North Georgia Technical College with honors. She shared that she became the first person in four generations of her family not only to earn a diploma or GED, but also to graduate from college.

Piedmont University

Mackenzie Cain submitted her own story after graduating from Piedmont University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies focused on Theatre, Criminal Justice, and Business.

Cain said she hopes to reduce recidivism through theater and arts programs within rehabilitation and reentry systems. She also recently accepted a position as a Musical Theatre Instructor.

University of Southern California

Sharon Canup celebrated her grandson, Dane Reen Scott Culver, who graduated from the University of Southern California in 2026 after graduating from Habersham Central High School in 2021. Culver earned a degree in Computer Science and Business Administration.

A Community Celebration

Together, the Class of 2026 submissions offered a snapshot of North Georgia itself: resilient, ambitious, family-oriented, and deeply proud of its young people.