Southeast Raleigh seniors kick off Wake graduation season

Students from 26 Wake County high schools will graduate over the course of the next two weeks, as seniors from Southeast Raleigh kicked off the celebration Thursday afternoon.

Posted 1:25 p.m. May 30, 2013 — Updated 3:26 a.m. May 31, 2013

RALEIGH, N.C. — Students from 26 Wake County high schools will graduate over the course of the next two weeks, as seniors from Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School kicked off the celebration Thursday afternoon.

The Bulldogs' marched at 4 p.m. at the Memorial Auditorium at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh.

Some graduates said Thursday that they're taking the economy and rising college costs into consideration as they make post-high school plans.

Southeast Raleigh graduate Matthew Brayton said he will attend a cheaper community college before transferring to UNC Charlotte.

"I won't have to take as many courses (at UNC)," he said.

According to the universities' websites, in-state students will pay about $22,200 in tuition, fees and room and board at North Carolina State University; $23,400 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; $15,500 at North Carolina Central University; and more than $58,000 at Duke University.

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"(It's) disappointing because I knew, financially, we could not afford to pay for it," said parent Angie Hill. "I would work five jobs to make sure she gets through college."

Luckily for Hill, her daughter, Shakina Brooks, is a track star. N.C. Central gave her a full ride.

"I am so excited," Brooks said. "Words can't even explain it right now."

In total, Southeast Raleigh graduates pulled in $2 million in scholarships and other funding.

Elsewhere in the Triangle, the Class of 2013 is the first to graduate from Heritage High School in Wake Forest. That ceremony takes place June 10.

Across central North Carolina, the first two weeks of June mark a key milestone for thousands of families who see students accept a diploma and take the next step to adulthood. Even those without a grad in the family should be aware of possible traffic and parking impacts over the next two weeks near Duke Energy Center and the Raleigh Convention Center.

Area high school graduation schedule

Some students have already tossed their caps. Durham's graduation season began May 17 with three ceremonies – for Early College, Middle College and City of Medicine – at North Carolina Central University. Three Cumberland County schools also graduated last week.

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