Ten students are inducted into the Adult Education National Honor Society. From left are Fatuma Aden, Kali Beaulieu, Abigail Ember, Rebecca Levesque, Kiin Hassan Salah, Gabriel Smith, Baxter Tardif, Emily Twitchell, Lindon Wells and Samuel Williams.

TURNER — SAD 52 celebrated the accomplishments of 27 students graduating from the Adult Education program on June 2 at the Leavitt High School Auditorium.

Razell Ward, director of SAD 52 Adult Education, welcomed the students and congratulated them on their milestone.

Commissioner of Education Robert Hasson Jr. addressed the graduates and encouraged all to remain persistent. He outlined some of the next steps graduates have planned as they complete their education and move toward new goals.

Pam Sirois, keynote speaker, talked about her life and the love she received from her family and friends while living with cystic fibrosis. She was granted a new lease on life when she received her new lungs last year, and encouraged the graduates to go outside at some point during the evening to just breathe. She said, “Take a moment and look up at the stars and realize that anything is possible!”

Two graduating students, Fatuma Aden and Patricia Cottle, took the stage and shared their thoughts on graduation.

Fatuma spoke about living in a refugee camp since she was 4, coming to the United States in 2006 and her five years in the Adult Education program. She said when she first registered all her assessments were in picture form, and now she can read, write and speak English, and the program has “become her family and her people.”

Patricia congratulated all the graduates and spoke about dropping out of high school, marrying and getting a job and said “it is never too late” to finally earn a degree. Her next goal is to join the College Transitions class at SAD 52 Adult Education and prepare for college entrance exams.

A number of awards were handed out throughout the evening, including the Central Maine Community College Courage to Grow award to Emily Twitchell, which includes a free college course; and two who were recognized for top performing Hiset scores, Baxter Tradif and Zechariah Bowmaster.

Ten students were inducted into the Adult Education National Honor Society: Fatuma Aden, Kali Beaulieu, Abigail Ember, Rebecca Levesque, Kiin Hassan Salah, Gabriel Smith, Baxter Tardif, Emily Twitchell, Lindon Wells and Samuel Williams

Superintendent Kimberly Brandt addressed the graduates and congratulated them in four languages represented by the celebrating students before degrees were conferred.

FMI: www.msad52.maineadulted.org.

Emily Twitchell wins Courage to Grow Award from CMCC.

Kim Brandt, SAD 52 superintendent, addresses graduates.

Pam Sirios (Keynote Speaker of Graduation)

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