Pictured (front row, from left) are Ashley Colegrove, Angel Craig, Tabitha Halley, Jessica Spencer, (back row, from left) Adult Ed. Instructor Betty Adkins, Jennifer Carr, Kayla Crank, Heather Kincaid, Ciera King, Joshua Lewis, Petru Tutuain, Shaea Leedon Sines, MCCC Principal Stephen Kingery, and Mason County School Board member Tom Nunnery.
Pictured are the GED graduates on their way their ceremony at the Mason County Career Center.
POINT PLEASANT — Going back to school can be a challenge at any age, but for 32 students that decision has now led them to graduation.
Among the many programs available at the Mason County Career Center (MCCC), Adult Education Instructor Betty Adkins works to help those returning to school to earn their General Education Development (GED) certificates. Adkins stated there were 32 students total that have earned their GEDs, and 11 of those students participated in graduation. Many of the students attending graduation have also decided to go on to college. Students attending graduation were Jennifer Carr, Ashley Colegrove, Angel Craig, Kayla Crank, Tabitha Halley, Heather Kincaid, Ciera King, Joshua Lewis, Shaea Leedon Sines, Jessica Spencer, and Petru Tutuain.
Also earning their GED’s were the following students:
Alisha Ball, Aaron Carroll, Michelle Denney, Euri (Jerry) Diaz, Victoria Dunford, Cameron Erwin, Chelsea Arthur Freeman, Taylor Hammond, Zach Jeffers, James Jones, Alissa Kessell, Kevin Laudermilt, Michael Loring, Jeremiah Meadows, Joe Messer, Matthew Ohlinger, Valerie Patterson, Amanda Rice, Bernard Scarberry, Nathan Wolfe, and Jessica Wright.
Just like any graduation, there were a few guest speakers. Following MCCC Principal Stephen Kingery’s welcome, MCCC student Wesley Davis spoke on the life of Steve Jobs. Davis stated that considering Jobs’ success, one would think he came from a successful wealthy family. According to Davis, Jobs was adopted as an infant to two high school dropouts. Jobs showed an interest in computers and electronics and eventually became the co-founder of Apple Inc. Jobs has now been regarded as one of the best CEOS in the world. David continued, saying there are several things in life that can get in your way every day, but you can’t let those things get in the way of achieving your dreams.
“This is just a doorway into your future,” Davis said.
Following Davis, Maintenance Director Ruth Caplinger spoke and told the story of Dave Thomas, the founder of the Wendy’s restaurant chain. Caplinger stated that Thomas was also a high school dropout, who later returned and received his GED, which shows that people who have a GED still have opportunities to be successful. Caplinger also acknowledged the students for their decision to return to school, since most of the students also have full-time jobs and families to take care for.
“It’s hard to go back to school,” Caplinger added.
Following the presentation of the certificates from Adkins and Kingery, a reception was held for the graduates, along with their family and friends.
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