VIP Academy seniors in Bibb County celebrate Decision Day ahead of graduation

Virtual students at VIP Academy in Bibb County celebrated their post-graduation choices during a Decision Day event with family and staff.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – With graduation just days away, VIP Academy, a virtual school in the Bibb County School District, held its Decision Day to celebrate seniors as they announced their post-graduation plans—whether that means choosing a college major, joining the military or pursuing entrepreneurship.

VIP Academy Interim Principal Dr. Tiffany Lewis says even though students learn online, they still deserve recognition.

“It’s very important for our students to be celebrated so the community can see what they’re doing and recognize their great efforts,” she said. “This year they have put into their schoolwork, and it’s been a long time coming for our students, and what better way to celebrate is to invite the community out to display their hard work.”

And as the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.”

“And it also shows the hard work that the parents have put into the students to make sure that they are staying focused, and that we all achieve that one goal. We as the staff want to see our students succeed, as well as those parents, and so now that they have made it to the big day, we want to make sure they are congratulated,” Lewis said.

Nadia Thomas, a senior at VIP Academy, says she plans to enter the medical field.

“I am a big mental health advocate,” she said. “I struggled with mental health during COVID, and I started my own business called Nadia’s Truth, which is a business to help teens and young adults with their mental health. And I feel like I’m doing the most two important things I want to do, which is help people with mental health and becoming a nurse.”

Thomas says she’s excited about her future and grateful for everything VIP Academy has done for her.

“But coming in, my school held on to me, they made sure I got the help I needed, the support,” she said. “They were here, they did everything they could. They are hands-on. I can say even though we are virtual… VIP is very hands-on.”