VALDOSTA — Valdosta Early College Academy observed Early College Week with several events, including a college signing day.

The Reach Higher is an initiative from former First Lady Michelle Obama.

The signing ceremony recognized 17 VECA seniors who signed to attend various universities, colleges and military branches after graduation in May. The ceremony was held at the Valdosta State University Student Union Theater.

“This is really bittersweet for me because these seniors sitting before me were seventh graders my first year at VECA,” Principal Mae McKinney said. “Just to see them grow and mature into beautiful young ladies and handsome gentlemen, it’s amazing.”

Zacchaeus Kier was the only student to sign at Georgia State University in Atlanta. He showed a video project and had his grandmother and Georgia State representatives come on stage with him during his signing.

For many years, it had been only him, his grandmother and his great-grandmother who recently passed away.

Though he said he’s nervous about what life will be like without his grandmother pushing him, he’s excited for the culture shock that will come with life in Atlanta, he said.

“It’s really exciting because I’m going into the unknown,” Kier said. “I’m leaving my grandma, which will be a whole new world for me. I’m trying to prepare myself for it as much as I can.”

Other students that signed included Ayanna Bacon with Albany State University, Zykeirea Cole, Kaniya Crawford and Jocelyn Frazier with Georgia Southern University, Lindsay Sebastian with Savannah College of Art and Design, Tamia and Tia Alexander with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, Aaron Zhang with the Navy, Kaycee Goodwin with University of West Georgia and Laneigh Alford, Jordan Bell, Rashaad Johnson, Andrew and Antrez Miller and Tyler Smith with Valdosta State University.

The Early College week included a VSU Day with a Mayor John Gayle proclamation, a Sam’s BBQ chicken dinner fundraiser and a VECA talent show.

Students even raised $400 for the Amani Children’s Choir of Uganda who visited them earlier in the week.

“That’s the beauty of our program,” McKinney said. “The fact that we get to see our students grow from middle school until they graduate high school, it is tremendous. We are so proud of you, Class of 2019. Let us show you how proud we are.”

Katelyn Umholtz is a reporter with the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at (229)244-3400 ext. 1256.