CCCC - News

SANFORD - Bryan Reynolds should have been a member of the Class of 1998 at Rainier High School in Washington State.

Now, 11 years later - and a continent away from Washington, he has finally earned his high school diploma.

“I am so proud of my husband for getting his diploma,” said Indira Reynolds, as she gave him a kiss. “He is a good example for our son.”

Reynolds, of Lee County, was one of 190 adults who recently completed their studies for an Adult High School or General Educational Development diploma through Central Carolina Community College’s adult education program. About 90, clad in academic robes, proudly walked the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center stage June 18 to receive their diplomas at commencement exercises.

The crowd of family and friends at the exercises began to cheer for their graduates-to-be as soon as the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” sounded. The Class of 2009 walked into the hall, single file, heads up, and smiling.

The class received words of wisdom and encouragement from three of their own: Reynolds, Megan Sanderford of Chatham County, and Diana Ponce Cortez of Harnett County.

Ponce Cortez, a single mother of three children, worked a full-time job while earning her GED.

“Success comes with hard work,” she told the graduating class. “Let us use this opportunity to improve our lives and the lives of our families.”

“It was long and difficult, but worth it in the end,” she said. “For all of you who gave education a second chance - congratulations.”

Sanderford, who received her AHS diploma, is enrolling at the college to earn an associate degree. She then plans to transfer to a four-year college or university and train to be a high school teacher.

“I want to help kids that have problems like I had not to make the mistakes I made,” she said.

Reynolds said that, for most of the graduating class, it had been a long, difficult journey coming back to school, meeting the challenges, and succeeding. He was laid off from his job in Research Triangle Park in September. He wanted to go into the Army, but it didn’t want him without a high school diploma. Now, diploma in hand, he’s excited about a future in the Army, with a goal of serving as a combat medic.

“You captured it, you earned it, and it can never be taken away from you,” he told the AHS/GED Class of 2009. Quoting George Bernard Shaw, he added, “All progress depends on unreasonable men because they shape the world to themselves. Be unreasonable - there’s always room for improvement. I thank Central Carolina Community College for providing an environment for our unreasonable minds. May good fortune follow you and God bless you always.”

Bobby Powell, chairman of the college’s board of trustees, presented $600 CCCC Foundation Board of Directors Scholarships to three students to continue their education at the college: Sanderford; Stephanie Blair Hardee of Harnett, and Molly Smith of Lee.

Then, the big moment everyone had been waiting for arrived. Row by row, the graduation class members came forward, walking across the stage to jubilant applause and cheering from their loved ones and the rest of the audience. College President Bud Marchant presented their diplomas as cameras clicked and flashed around the hall.

When all had received their diplomas, Powell instructed them to move the tassels on their graduation caps from the right side to the left, signaling the completion of the graduation. The audience rose in a standing ovation, cheering the new graduates as they proudly exited the ceremony for the Civic Center’s foyer. There, friends and families caught up with them for hugs and more photos of this special occasion.

Jesse Poole, of Harnett, received her Adult High School diploma. She’s not stopping now, but is going to enroll at the college and major in Early Childhood Education. Like many of the graduates, what she has accomplished has had a profound impact not only on her life, but the lives of others. For Poole, that includes her husband, Tommy Smith.

“I’m proud and glad for her,” Smith said. “She’s accomplished something she worked so hard for. She’s inspired me to go back to school. I’ll be enrolling next year.”

CCCC Adult High/GED awards almost 200 diplomas

Central Carolina Community College Adult High School graduate Bryan Reynolds (center) gets a congratulatory kiss from his wife, Indira, as their son, Jaffet, and friend Iris Alduvin watch. Reynolds graduated with a straight-A grade point average. He was the Lee County student speaker at the college’s June 18 Adult High School and General Educational Development graduation at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. Reynolds now plans to enlist in the U.S. Army and become a combat medic. Approximately 190 adults completed high school or a GED through the college’s adult education program during the spring semester.

Saprina Smith (right), of Lee County, received her General Educational Development diploma at Central Carolina Community College’s Adult High School and GED graduation exercises June 18 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. On hand to help Smith celebrate were her friend Brandi Smith (left) and Brandi’s daughter, Kourtney. Approximately 190 adults completed high school or a GED through the college’s adult education program during the spring semester.

Jesse Poole (left), of Harnett County, celebrates her high school graduation with her husband, Tommy Smith, and their son, Marley, at Central Carolina Community College’s Adult High School and General Educational Development graduation exercises June 18 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. Smith said that his wife has inspired him to go back and get his own diploma. Approximately 190 adults completed high school or a GED through the college’s adult education program during the spring semester.

Gabriel White, 6, of Wake County, gives his cousin Megan Sanderford, of Chatham County, a congratulatory hug following her June 18 graduation from the Adult High School program at Central Carolina Community College. Sanderford was the student graduation speaker from Chatham County. She received a $600 CCCC Foundation Board of Directors Scholarship to continue her education at the college. Sanderford plans to earn an associate degree at the college and transfer to a four-year institution to train to be a high school teacher. Approximately 190 adults completed high school or a GED through the college’s adult education program during the spring semester.

Robin Crim, of Chatham County, receives her Adult High School diploma from Central Carolina Community College President Bud Marchant during the college’s Adult High School and General Educational Development commencement exercises June 18 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. Approximately 190 adults completed high school or a GED through the college’s adult education program during the spring semester.

Robert Arellano (right), of Lee County, receives his Adult High School diploma from Central Carolina Community College President Bud Marchant, during the college’s Adult High School and General Educational Development commencement exercises June 18 in the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. Arellano had the highest grade point average in the graduating class and was given the honor of bearing the college mace at the head of the processional and recessional. He plans to enroll at the college to continue his education. Approximately 190 adults completed high school or a GED through the college’s adult education program during the spring semester.

Mary Elliott, of Harnett County, receives her diploma from Central Carolina Community College President Bud Marchant during the college’s Adult High School and General Educational Development commencement exercises June 18 in the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. Approximately 190 adults completed high school or a GED through the college’s adult education program during the spring semester.

College News

CCCC Adult High/GED awards almost 200 diplomas

06.23.2009 • Students/Graduates