It's Never Too Late for Education

GED graduates stand with faculty, staff and community supporters.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Montgomery County Community College.

Forty-five students earned their General Education Diplomas (GED) during Montgomery County Community College’s annual graduation ceremony on June 5 at the West Campus in Pottstown.

The graduates were part of MCCC’s rigorous five-week program that is among the most accelerated in the state. 

According to GED Program Coordinator/Instructor Raymond Ricketts, 860 students have completed the program since its inception in 2006–an 84 percent graduation rate. 

Student speaker Jamie Gehman, a Lower Pottsgrove resident, 

addresses her fellow graduates

The Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) funds the program, which is free to Montgomery County residents. 

The fee for out-of-county students is $100 and includes the course and GED exam. 

John Vestri, vice president of operations and finance for Video Ray in Pottstown, provided the keynote address. 

He commended graduates for taking ownership of their education, and encouraged them to take advantage of all future educational opportunities that arise. 

“Every single you chance you have to improve yourself through education, please take advantage of it. It will pay off in some way in the long run,” said Vestri. 

He added that there is “no such thing as a traditional education,” sharing “we all pursue what works for us; everyone is on some non-traditional path.” 

Providing the student address, graduate Jamie Gehman, Lower Pottsgrove, said the program “allowed me to focus on my problem area—math—and pass the GED with flying colors.” 

Gehman described how it became more and more difficult to return to school as time passed. 

However, as her youngest of four children started kindergarten this year, she realized it was time to continue her own education as well. 

“It’s never too late to give yourself or your loved ones a brighter future through education,” she shared. 

Gehman recently completed her first semester at the College, during which she earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average (GPA). She ultimately hopes to work with children who have learning challenges and brain trauma. 

Marisol Lezcano, executive director of the Montgomery County WIB and deputy director of commerce, presented the graduates with their diplomas, and Peggy Schmidt, chair, WIB Youth Council, provided closing remarks. 

“I’m sure, as you have gone through this journey, people told you that you couldn’t do it. But your hard work paid off,” she said, just before asking attendees to join her in reciting the lyrics to “High Hopes.” 

To learn more about the GED program or GED testing services, visit mc3.edu/adm-fin-aid/ged.