LEWISTON — On June 9, hundreds of graduates, teachers, family members, friends and community members gathered to celebrate the 178 adults who earned a high school diploma or GED from Lewiston Adult Education during the 2008-2009 school year.
The individuals, ranging in age from 17 to 65, juggled jobs, family and school as they put in the hundreds of hours of work required to complete high school credit or prepare for the GED exams.
Many of the graduates returned to Lewiston Adult Education to complete their High School Credential to enhance their qualifications for a job, go on to college or to fulfill goals.
For example, 18 years ago Lottie Greer dropped out of high school to work. Now that her daughter is a teenager, Greer wanted to set a good example by earning her diploma. “[My daughter] is working to find her own way through school. To help her understand how important school is, I decided to give it another try. I wanted to show my daughter that education is the key to finding work that you like,” Greer said.
Greer delivered an address to her fellow graduates at the ceremony, and said, “I know that life is hard, but I believe that continued education helps to clarify issues, can teach you how to make good decisions and how to adjust to change.”
Carmen Edwards, a graduate who also spoke during the ceremony, closed with a poem she wrote for the occasion, “We are United in Purpose.”
Also recognized at the graduation ceremony were those who completed workforce training certification programs, including CNA, Clerical Certificate, Culinary Arts Certificate, Medical Office Certificate and Welding Certificate. Participants in the College Transitions Program and the Career Transitions: Health Care Edition program were also recognized.