AUBURN – Seventy-five adult education directors and faculty, Central Maine Community College staff and family members and friends joined to honor 17 outstanding adult education participants at the annual Courage to Grow awards ceremony at the college.

The recipients, each of whom will earn a high school diploma or a General Education Development certificate this year, were selected because they have set a goal that might have seemed unattainable and have persevered until that goal was reached.

Maine humorist and Maine Community College System Director of State and Federal Programs Gary Crocker was the speaker. He implored the audience to “be kind, get an education and have a sense of humor.”

In addition to receiving the award, the recipients were given a free course at the college to get them started on the next step in their educational career.

Several of the recipients have already applied and others are still considering their options.

The recipients were Brian Lalemand, Auburn Adult and Community Education; Jane Galuza, Bath Adult Education; Eliesha Barnes, Center for Life Long Learning, Buckfield; Theodore Hanna, Union 74 Adult Education; Roderick Storer, SAD 9 Adult and Community Education.

Also, Pam Tilton, SAD 58 Adult Education; Kayla Keith, Lewiston Adult Education; Alicia Webber, Lisbon Adult and Community Education; Christian Audette, Jay Adult Education; Trina Beaudoin, Mechanic Falls/Poland Adult Education; Rachel Hunt, Richmond Adult and Community Education; Linda Poirier, Region 9 Learning Center.

Also, Katherine May, Oak Hill Adult Education; Erik Holbrook, Oxford Hills Adult Education; Karen Munsey, SAD 75 Merrymeeting Regional Education; Lacie Currier, SAD 52 River Valley Adult and Community Education; and Stephen Perrine, Wiscasset Community Education.