For the first time in its history, two young men were among the graduates at the Teen Services graduation ceremony held yesterday at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

The school usually provides an education for new or expectant teen mothers.

The young men were just one credit short of receiving their high school diplomas, and were unable to attain their Bermuda Secondary School Certificate (BSSC) because it is no longer offered in the public school system.

“The Department of Education contacted our school to see if we would take on two male students since we are the only ones who offer the BSSC programme,” said Michelle Wade-Johnson, director of Teen Services.

“It's outside of our mandate, but there are so many students dropping out of school that I figured if we could prevent two from doing the same, we'd accept them.”

Mrs. Wade-Johnson said the two young men - who are not teen fathers - were instructed separately from the student body and completed much of their coursework on their own.

She said although they were willing to take on the young men, there is no guarantee that this will happen again: “I don't think this will be a regular occurrence, but it depends on negotiations with the Ministry of Education.”

Seventeen-year-old Jahmiko Hayward gave his mother credit for his achievement: “I was told by my mother that I was going to Teen Services.

“And I didn't want to - but my mother helped me a lot. If she didn't, I wouldn't be here today.”

Aspiring forensic scientist and teen mom Zurita Tucker was all smiles before she received her diploma: “I am so proud of myself. I did this for my daughter. In the beginning, I didn't think I was going to make it but my mother and my teachers pushed me.

“I did this for my daughter,” she added. Former teacher at Teen Services Sharon Wilkinson was the keynote speaker for the ceremony. She delivered an inspirational message, giving the graduates advice that she encouraged them to live by: “Life is not just a meaning. It is an opportunity.”