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Wayne School of Technical Arts holds inaugural graduation; school highlights military-civilian partnership
Summary
The Wayne School of Technical Arts held its first commencement June 9, 2025, celebrating its inaugural graduating class and noting the partnership between Wayne County Public Schools and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
The Wayne School of Technical Arts held its inaugural commencement on June 9, 2025, declaring the class of 2025 graduates and highlighting the school's partnership with Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and Wayne County Public Schools.
The ceremony honored seniors from a school described by speakers as a public high school located on a military installation, with leadership and guests from both Wayne County Public Schools and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in attendance. "Based on the recommendation of the faculty of Wayne School of Technical Arts, and by virtue of the authority vested in me by the state of North Carolina and the Wayne County Board of Education, it is my honor to declare you 2025 graduates of Wayne School of Technical Arts," Dr. Allen said during the ceremony as he conferred the diplomas.
Why it matters: WISTA's first graduating class marks the opening of a public high school intentionally sited on a military installation, and speakers emphasized the school's role serving both military and nonmilitary families in Wayne County. That dual mission was a recurring theme in remarks from school leaders and community partners.
School leaders and local officials attended and were recognized onstage, including representatives of Wayne County Public Schools and the Wayne County Board of Education. The program also included senior speakers, a school counselor assisting with graduate recognition, and military leadership from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. A representative identified onstage as speaking for the base said the base and its leaders were "so thrilled" to congratulate the graduates on behalf of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
The ceremony included musical performances, student welcome remarks, an address noting the unique context of the school on a military installation, and the formal recognition of each senior. Staff called each senior individually to the stage and listed academic recognitions, scholarship awards and postgraduation plans for many students before the tassel-turning and recessional.
The event was ceremonial rather than policy-making: no board votes or formal policy actions were taken at the ceremony beyond the formal declaration of graduation by the school official. Speakers repeatedly framed the occasion as both a milestone for the students and a demonstration of the partnership between Wayne County Public Schools and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
Officials present included representatives from Wayne County Public Schools leadership and the Wayne County Board of Education, along with Seymour Johnson Air Force Base command staff. Graduates and families were instructed to follow marshals to collect diplomas after the recessional.
