Home School Students Graduate in Local Ceremony
Fifteen home school students walked across the stage to receive their diplomas at the annual Homeschool Roster Homeschool Graduation 2025, which was held at the Hardeman County Arts Center (HCAC) on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Family and friends of the graduates filled the Arts Center for the occasion, which the students had long worked hard to reach.
Hardeman County Mayor Todd Pulse attended the graduation and welcomed all to Hardeman County. Sharing he is a home school father; Mayor Pulse was excited to learn the graduation opportunity is held for area students. He recognized the achievements of the students, encouraged them in their future endeavors, and even gave a friendly shout out to some of the graduates who he has known since they were young children.
Student graduates included four Hardeman County students, some from surroundings counties, and a student who is based in Memphis, but has been homeschooled while living abroad in Thailand for the past few years. Fourteen students were graduates from HomeLife Academy and one from The Keystone School.
Music selections were presented by Mia Widner on violin and Addison Mitsamphanh on electric guitar. A Memories Video presentation included students sharing favorite moments during their home school journey.
Haley Hysmith, a COMPLETE Coach with tnAchieves was the commencement speaker. She noted graduates often focus on where they are going and reminded them it is equally important to remember from where they have been.
“Remember the events that shaped you, that motivated you, that broke your heart, and that taught you who you are . . .,” said Ms. Hysmith.
The Mistress of Ceremonies was Marnina Smeltser, who graduated from HomeLife Academy in 2023. She graduated Magna Cum Laude, Phi Theta Kappa with an Associate in Science from Jackson State Community College May 2025.
Home school parents are active on the home school journey from registering their child for school, overseeing their child’s education, and often the primary teacher of all subjects. The students were presented with their diplomas from their proud parents.
Rain was not able to stop the tossing of the caps. Although done indoors, it was still a lot of fun on the HCAC stage.
Homeschool Roster hosts a prom and graduation for home school students in West Tennessee each school year. The Homeschool Roster prom will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, and the graduation will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, both in Hardeman County. To learn more about those events, visit Homeschool Roster or e-mail homeschoolroster@gmail.com. If you would like to learn more about home school as an education option for your child, attend the free Have You Considered Home School information session, which will is being hosted by Homeschool Roster and the Hardeman County Homeschoolers on Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Bolivar-Hardeman County Library.
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