By Mike Barnhardt
Enterprise Record

Davie County Early College High School graduated its first class of students Saturday. They received high school diplomas and two-year college degrees.
Maybe more important, they established high standards for Davie County School System’s newest venture. They laid the foundation for all future classes.
Two teachers – Denise Absher and Miles Catlett – talked about the importance of the first class at a baccalaureate ceremony last week at First Baptist Church of Mocksville.
“We have watched these students rise from adversity,” Catlett said. “Our school has struggled to gain an identity … to gain the respect of the community. Over the last four years, you have been  helping to build the foundation of our school – a community. We want you to think about the important ideals you value that are a part of the foundation of this school.”
The students picked out the school mascot, the Phoenix, which arose from the ashes as powerful and as beautiful as the first.
“You acquired values and …