Oldest graduate’s experience with Hornet Academy and his life beforehand
Nova Wang is a journalism student at Azle High School who participates in a practicum program hosted by the Tri-County Reporter.
AZLE — Starting in spring of 2008, Azle ISD’s Hornet Academy began its program for students of all backgrounds, from high school students who want to transfer, to students who were unable to finish high school. As students from the Hornet Academy come from various stages of life, they have different experiences with the program and how they operate.
Robin Hamm, the oldest graduate of the Hornet Academy to date, recounts his experience during the program before gaining his diploma in 2023.
“(Hornet Academy) was a good experience. You work at your own pace and call for the teacher if you needed help,” Hamm said. “The program teaches all the subjects that I learned from when I went to school and some that I didn’t finish.”
When joining the program at the academy, there is a possible restriction for who can do their assignments off and on campus.
“I think there’s an age limit for on-campus; they have oncampus and you’ve got to be, I think between 20-25 to be allowed to go to the campus,” Hamm said. “After those ages then you do it online at home.”
Before his journey at Hornet Academy, Hamm served in the military for a long duration.
“I was in the Navy and did civilian housing construction for seven years and then I got into the housing side in 2000 where I then became facility manager for the base housing,” Hamm said. “Then I lost my job and decided to retire and I was sitting around the house doing nothing so I decided to go for my diploma.”
When it came to tutoring and teachers, Hamm mentioned how easy it was for students to ask for assistance or tutoring from teachers at Hornet Academy.
“Teachers were available every day and I had to do two hours there the first day because they wanted to see what I knew,” Hamm said. “And you can go into the campus for help but I was able to just call the teacher if I had a problem.”
Hornet Academy graduation photo of Robin Hamm. PHOTO COURTESY ROBIN HAMM
