A Decade Of Opportunity: Base Camp Graduates 10th Class
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Members of the Base Camp Coding Academy Class of 2026 are pictured during Saturday’s graduation ceremony, including four graduates from Water Valley.
WATER VALLEY — Twenty-two students crossed the stage Saturday morning at the Everest Education and Innovation Hub, marking the 10th graduating class of Base Camp Coding Academy and another milestone for a program that continues to shape career paths across North Mississippi.
Among the graduates were four students from Water Valley: Evalyn Fondren, Aiden Lehman, Kaden Norlander and Lacedric Turner. The Class of 2026 included students from across the region, with participants representing communities such as Pontotoc, Olive Branch, Southaven, Grenada, Oxford, Blue Springs, Vardaman, New Albany and Nettleton.
In opening remarks, co-founder Kagan Coughlin reflected on the growth of the program over the past decade, noting that Base Camp has now graduated more than 200 students and continues to provide a pathway into the technology workforce for students across the region.
Coughlin emphasized the mission behind the program, pointing to its tuition-free model and focus on real-world skills as a way to remove barriers and create opportunity.
The ceremony also featured a keynote address from Eric Meier, CEO of PracticeWise and president of Clarksdale’s Ground Zero Blues Club, who mixed humor with practical advice for the graduates as they step into the workforce.
“You’ve survived debugging, group projects and the moment when your code worked on your machine but not on anybody else’s,” Meier said. “That qualifies you for a medal in and of itself.”
His address centered on three themes: pursuing meaningful work, embracing a non-linear path and maintaining strong character.
“I guarantee your career will not be a straight line,” Meier said.
A highlight of the ceremony was the alumni panel, moderated by Base Camp trustee Sage Nichols, which featured recent graduates now working in software development, IT security and data-related fields. Panelists included Anna McLeod, Class of 2023, a software developer I with C Spire; Blane Lambert, Class of 2024, a junior software developer with C Spire; Gage Schaffer, Class of 2025, an IT security specialist with Domtar; and Brittney Bean, Class of 2025, a data specialist with mTrade.
Founded in Water Valley, Base Camp Coding Academy provides a tuition-free, year-long program designed to prepare students for careers in technology. The academy emphasizes hands-on learning, problem-solving and professional development, with many students entering the program with little or no prior coding experience.
That approach continues to produce results as almost 90 percent of the graduates during the last decade entered tech-related roles within three months, according to remarks during Saturday’s ceremony.
Saturday’s ceremony concluded with the presentation of diplomas and closing remarks from co-founder Glen Evans, as graduates prepared to move into the next phase of their careers.
“You’ve earned the right to feel proud,” Meier said. “Go write some good code, and be even better people.”
