Lincoln County proudly reports that a custody child, "Rebecca," not only graduated from Carney High School, but she graduated with a 4.0 + GPA and as valedictorian of her class.  
 
"Rebecca’s" worker, Yolanda Hunter, attended her graduation. Hunter said in "Rebecca’s" valedictorian speech, she acknowledged the people in her life, her foster parent, her guardian, her OKDHS workers and her family.

Hunter recalled, “During this ceremony Miss Rebecca presented me with a long-stemmed red rose. I hugged her and thanked her for this and told her how proud I was of her. I will keep this in my book forever. I was beaming with pride to know that I have assisted this young lady through her life course. This is all worth the effort of long hours and many sleepless nights.

“In the middle of her speech, she broke down and cried twice, stating that she wanted to thank those people in helping her in her life and those people were the foster mom, who also had her own daughter graduating, but she felt like was her second mom, and her guardian - meaning us. The foster parent’s daughter also presented me with a rose and I thanked her for that as well.”
 
"Rebecca" has been in state custody since Nov. 27, 2007. She has been in the same kinship home since being taken into emergency custody. She was recently a legislative page and volunteers in the after school program. "Rebecca" plans to attend Northern Oklahoma Community College in Enid and wants to obtain an accounting degree. 

Hunter purchased "Rebecca" a beautiful set of luggage for her graduation and the Lincoln County Child Welfare staff passed around an envelope and was able to present her with a card and $50.