Pathways Leading from AB Tech’s GED Program
What do Bill Cosby and the students who will gather in AB Tech’s Ferguson Auditorium on the evening of June 12th have in common?
By Stephanie Sharp
They are living proof that earning a GED or Adult High School Diploma involves education, determination and motivation. Cosby used his education, certified by a high school equivalency program, as a launching pad for entering college. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree and a Doctorate in Education as well as find a way to develop his talents into a career that has influenced countless individuals. This month, AB Tech’s GED and AHSD graduates celebrate the beginning of their own path towards further education or employment.
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| Kye Keeter, a 2006 GED graduate, celebrates her success with family and friends in AB Tech’s Ferguson Auditorium. |
About
100 of the 450 graduates of AB Tech’s Basic Skills: ABE/ GED/ AHS
program area will attend the annual graduation recognition ceremony
this month. In past years the ceremony has been marked by an emotive
mixture of exuberant laughter and tears of joy as participants in the
program have shared their stories of past struggles, present
educational victory, and the power of an education to change lives.
Mary Warren, a
2006 GED graduate, is a shining example of a student who has used her
diploma as a starting point for her career goals. Warren has been
enrolled in AB Tech’s criminal justice curriculum program for just over
a year. Her goal: to help at-risk teens who need a positive influence
in their lives.
On top of
maintaining A’s and B’s in her coursework, Warren finds time to
volunteer at Eliada Home for Children where she offers her tutoring
services in reading as well as mentor a group of young girls in her
community as they pursue their own educations. Warren’s speech at last
year’s graduation ceremony urged other prospective GED students to get
an educational goal in mind and to strike a balance between school and
other life responsibilities in order to be successful.
Kye Keeter,
another inspirational GED graduate, decided to bring her talents to AB
Tech’s Accounting program. A native of Korea and second language
learner, Keeter had to overcome her fear of learning the English
language in order to pass her GED tests. Her graduation speech implored
students to make their lives over by challenging fears that stand in
the way of improving oneself.
As last year’s
GED graduates are well into their journeys of pursuing higher education
or meaningful employment, this year’s graduates are exploring their own
pathways leading from AB Tech’s GED classrooms. Tahira Hillman, a
recent GED graduate, first set her goal of achieving her GED while
residing in a local recovery house. She spent four months working in
the GED program with her largest challenge being upper level math.
Aided by the expertise of instructor Kim Litz and the encouragement of
Chief GED Examiner Michael K. Anderson, Hillman passed her tests and is
preparing to enter nursing program coursework at AB Tech this fall.
Jason McIntosh,
a recent graduate after many hours of class work in the ABE/ GED/ AHS
program area’s Small Group Instruction class, will proudly accept his
diploma from the Chief Examiner this month. McIntosh faced many
physical and learning challenges stemming from a traumatic brain
injury.
His incredible determination enabled him to learn to write with
his left hand because he had lost that ability in his right hand. The
fact that he found ways to learn despite his impairments attests to
both his motivation to achieve and the skillful instruction of his
teacher, Margaret Darnell. Now, as a graduate, McIntosh is able to earn
a better living wage which will assist him in reaching his goal of
owning a home for his family.
Empowered by the
success of earning a high school equivalency diploma and equipped with
the skills to further one’s education or seek better employment, a
student graduating from the Basic Skills program can find resources for
further advancement on the campus of AB Tech.
For students
interested in entering AB Tech’s post-secondary programs, the ABE/ GED/
AHS program area, in partnership with the Human Resources Development
program area, offers Bridges to College, a class that eases the
transition into college by introducing students to available resources.
In addition, each year, approximately six scholarships are awarded to
outstanding GED graduates wanting to continue their education at AB
Tech.
AB Tech’s Basic
Skills instructors and administrative staff would like to congratulate
all of this year’s graduates! For each of these students, the various
paths leading away from AB Tech’s GED classrooms began with the
courageous first step of setting the goal of completing their high
school education. The ABE/GED/AHS staff, located within the Pines
Building on AB Tech’s main campus, is happy to assist you in beginning
your own journey.
For more information about this program area, please call (828) 254-1921 x 433.
