NEWPORT (WATE) – Thursday night marked a milestone for a Cocke County institution that had its building destroyed by a tornado a year ago.
Cocke County Adult High School was flattened late April 2011. Students were moved into a trailer. Several classes were sometimes held in the same room. The class that had to rough it out graduated, despite the obstacles, on Thursday.
"I worked for a company for 12 years and got laid off," said Steven Weber, 53, about how he decided to start his life over, only to be welcomed by a building that had been destroyed.
"School was gone, the building was pretty much gone," described Zachary Smith, graduating with a high school diploma.
As they went through the year, the students watched as the area and the school were built back up.
"I think it'll make an even more special memory for them because they overcame a lot," said Bryan Douglas, Director of Adult Education.
Students say the experience has taught them lessons on just how fickle life can be.
"People take things for granted and before you know it, anything could happen," Smith said.
For Weber, it's a new chapter in life with a new perspective.
"Take it one day at a time," Weber said.
A new facility to house the Adult High School has been built. They held an open house at the building in early May. Students will be taught in the new building beginning with the class this upcoming year.
