Thirty-four students graduated from the SPAN Program of Chilton County on Thursday morning at Clanton City Hall.

Special Programming for Achievement Network provides comprehensive academic, social, behavioral and employability skills training for high-risk teenagers in the county.

Randy Strattis, a SPAN counselor, called the program a “change agent” capable of changing students’ lives for the better.

“It’s a special day for them,” said Board of Education member Curtis Smith.

Seven of the graduates were GED recipients and included this year’s valedictorian, Kiersten Smitherman, and salutatorian, Michael Lunceford.

State Rep. Kurt Wallace was the commencement speaker, and Judge Rhonda Hardesty presented the graduates and their diplomas.

Chilton County SPAN has provided students training opportunities for 18 years.

SPAN graduates were Margurie Ali, Ashley Campbell, Devyn Chase, Timothy Cleckler, John Cleckley, Zack Davenport, Brittany Dykes, Cruz Edwards, Miracle Ellis, Vontarius Falls, Paul Fernandez, Michael Fuller, Justin Garner, Deasia Griffin, Terry Jones, Savana Melton, DaNadeia Nunn, Hunter Smitherman, Haylee Terrell, Alex VonMutter, Sabrina Wallace, Stoney Willis, Jesse Wilson, Dustin Worthington, Tevell Wright and Courtney Wyatt.

Other GED recipients were Brittany Brasher, Kisa Driggars, Kacey Smitherman, Maegan Thornton and Megan Watts.

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