College News
CCCC Adult Education celebrates graduation
06.21.2011
SANFORD – Loud clapping and cheering greeted the spring graduating class of Central Carolina Community College’s Adult High School and GED programs as they entered the main hall of the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center for their June 16 commencement.
Cameras flashed around the large hall as family and friends took pictures of the event. The class members, impressive in their dark blue robes, responded with big smiles.
A total of 143 students in the college’s Adult Education Department completed their studies for their Adult High School or GED diplomas during the spring semester. Among them were student graduation speakers Devan Harris, of Chatham County, Victor Bass, of Harnett County, and Jennifer Howell, of Lee County.
Harris dropped out of high school 16 years ago and worked in the retail business. Then, he heard about CCCC’s Sustainable Technologies program. He moved his family 3,000 miles, from Oregon to Chatham County to train for a new career. The first step in continuing his education was earning a GED diploma. Now, with that in hand, he is enrolling in Sustainable Technologies.
“Education is the most powerful resource we have,” he told the graduating class. “We’ve opened doors that will lead us on the paths we choose. We did it – and we will continue to do it!”
Howell said that by coming to CCCC Adult Education, she was able to graduate from high school a year earlier. She is continuing her education at the college.
“Education is the key to success,” she said to her fellow graduates. “Now, go out there and do something wonderful!”
Bass said a lot of people he knew told him he wouldn’t make it when he said he was going back to school. He had dropped out of high school in 1997 and struggled, working a number of different jobs.
“I knew I was better than what I was doing,” Bass said.
He came to CCCC, now has his GED diploma and is already taking Computer Engineering Technology classes.
Bass then wowed the audience with a rendition of “I Believe I Can Fly” a song that expressed his feelings about what he has achieved and what he will yet achieve.
CCCC Vice President of Academic Affairs Lisa Chapman followed Bass at the lectern.
“We believe all of you can fly,” she said to the graduates. “We are so proud of you.”
Chapman then announced scholarships among the graduates. Five were presented: CCCC Foundation scholarships to Devan Harris, of Chatham County, Tyffin Walker, of Harnett County, and Spencer Bridges, of Lee County; W.B. Wicker Memorial Scholarship, to Victor Bass, of Harnett County; and the Donald N. Buie Memorial Scholarship, to Jennifer Howell, of Lee County.
Several members of the graduating class were honored for excelling academically. Sierra Dixon, Ann Myers and Andrew Hicks maintained a 94+ grade point average in their Adult High School studies. Ryan Anderson, Noah Bagwell, Katherine Bielby, Juan Campos, Thomas Corns, Andrew Cullen, June Estep, Jennifer Fox, Devan Harris, Matthew Lucas, Sarah Maloy, Haley Maynor, and George Napier scored 3000+ on their GED examinations. Thirty-one also earned Career Readiness Certificates.
Each member of the graduating received a voucher for free tuition for one three-credit hour class at the college to encourage them to continue their education.
Rosa and Daniel Cornejo, of Harnett County, celebrated a double milestone at the graduation. Both received their GED diplomas. Rosa had dropped out of high school in 2003 and Daniel, in 2006. Daniel went through the Adult Education English as a second language program before enrolling to earn his GED. Now, both plan to continue their education at CCCC: Rosa, in the pre-nursing program and Daniel, in automotive technology.
Rosa said they came back to make a better life for their children and family and to set the example for their children to get an education.
Daniel added, “I say to anyone who didn’t complete high school: Don’t give up. If I did it, anyone can do it.”
Jennifer Howell, of Lee County, smiles as Central Carolina Community College President Bud Marchant congratulates her at the college’s Adult High School/GED graduation exercises June 16. Howell was one of 143 students who completed their high school studies during the spring semester. Howell was one of three graduating student speakers at the commencement and also received the Donald N. Buie Memorial Scholarship to continue her studies at the college.
Donna Covington (left) is all smiles as she congratulates her son, O’Brien Davis, of Lee County (center), for receiving his General Education Development diploma at the June 16 Central Carolina Community College Adult Education Department’s Adult High School/GED graduation. His son, Onyx Davis, is more impressed with the congratulatory balloons the family brought. Davis was the first graduate of a college GED program held at Emmanuel Glory Church of God, in Sanford. He plans to continue his education in the college’s Industrial Systems Technology program.
Graduating student Devan Harris, of Chatham County, delivers his commencement address at Central Carolina Community College’s Adult High School/GED graduation exercises June 16. Harris also received a CCCC Foundation scholarship to continue his education at the college. He plans to enroll in the Sustainable Technologies program at the Chatham County Campus. A total of 143 students completed their AHS or GED studies during the spring semester.
Ed Garrison, chairman of the Central Carolina Community College Board of Trustees, congratulates graduating student Devan Harris, of Chatham County, after presenting him with a CCCC Foundation scholarship at the college’s Adult High School/GED graduation exercises June 16. Harris was also one of three graduating student speakers. He plans to continue his education at the college in the Sustainable Technologies program at the Chatham County Campus. A total of 143 students completed their AHS or GED studies during the spring semester.
Ed Garrison, chairman of the Central Carolina Community College Board of Trustees, congratulates graduating student Victor Bass, of Harnett County, after presenting him with the W.B. Wicker Memorial Scholarship at the college’s June 16 Adult High School/GED graduation exercises. Bass was also one of three graduating student speakers. He plans to continue his education at the college in the Computer Engineering Technology program. A total of 143 students completed their AHS or GED studies during the spring semester.
Rosa Cornejo (left) and husband Daniel Cornejo, of Harnett County, celebrated a double milestone at Central Carolina Community College’s June 16 Adult High School/GED graduation exercises. Both received their GED diplomas and plan to continue their education at CCCC, making good use of the vouchers they are holding for a free class at the college. Rosa plans to enroll in the pre-nursing program and Daniel, in automotive technology. A total of 143 students completed their AHS or GED studies during the spring semester.
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