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.

Pomp and Circumstance

GED graduates stand with faculty, staff and community supporters.

Blogger's Note: The following news cam via a press release from Montgomery County Community College. 

Forty-six students earned their General Education Diplomas (GED) during Montgomery County Community College’s semi-annual graduation ceremony on Oct. 16 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. 

Vanessa Perry of Pottstown speaks to the students.

According to GED Program Coordinator /Instructor Raymond Ricketts, 828 students have completed the program since its inception in 2006 – an 84 percent graduation rate.

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.

During the ceremony, MCCC alumnus and Alumni Hall of Fame inductee Scott Rau, Pottstown, provided the keynote address. 

He encouraged graduates to “make a commitment to self,” ask for help when needed, and give back, noting that “the most valuable resource you can give is your time.”

“You don’t have to stop. Everything is a milestone; everything is a step forward,” said Rau, who is senior vice president and director of mobile payments with Chase, and is also a member of the college’s Foundation Board of Directors.

Providing the student address, graduate Vanessa Perry, Pottstown, explained how a “fighting spirit” helped her to persist through the program in spite of obstacles that included her husband’s death.

“I’ve been trying to earn my GED since 2002,” shared Perry, who is already enrolled in MCCC classes  this semester. “No matter what people say and what challenges come your way, only you can change your future.”

Marisol Lezcano, executive director of the Montgomery County WIB and deputy director of commerce, closed the ceremony by challenging graduates to “be daring” and go after their dreams.

“Success always comes when preparation meets opportunity,” she said.

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

Diploma in Hand

This year's class of GED graduates at the MC3 campus in Pottstown

Blogger's Note: MC3's Alana Mauger continues her rampage through the in-box at Digital Notebook Industrial Complex with this news about the Pottstown campus's latest round of GED graduates.

Family and friends filled the South Hall Community Room at Montgomery County Community College’s West Campus in Pottstown and cheered as 50 students earned their General Education Diplomas (GED) during the Spring GED Graduation ceremony on May 1.

 

MCCC President Dr. Karen A. Stout congratulated the students, acknowledging their perseverance and commitment to complete this goal.

           

“You have a new mindset now, one that is not fixed, but in a growth mode where you want to work as hard as you can to succeed,” she told the graduates.  “You know the value of education and how it will make your life better.”

           

The program’s keynote speaker Hilda Hynes, Barto, traveled a similar journey as the graduates. After leaving high school at age 16, she later earned her GED. Now, she will be receiving her associate’s degree in Communications later this month at MCCC.

 

“I felt something when I walked across the stage to get my GED,” she said. “It was self-pride. It’s the same feeling you will have when you walk across the stage tonight. Congratulations on believing in yourself and honoring the commitment you made to you.”

 

According to GED Program Coordinator /Instructor Raymond Ricketts, 775 students graduated since the program started in May 2006, and the graduation rate is 88 percent. The Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) funds the program, which is free to Montgomery County residents, and is held at the College’s West Campus. The fee for out-of-county students is $100, which includes the GED test.

 

Graduating from the rigorous five-week program gives students a sense of accomplishment and dignity, according to GED Graduate Speaker Malinda Gilyard.

 

“If you can believe, you can achieve. That’s the bottom line,” Gilyard said, thanking everyone.

  

Many of the graduates will continue their education, like Lee Scott of Pottstown, who will start computer classes at the College in September, and Malissa Quigley of Douglassville, who wants to enroll in the Nursing program.

 

In concluding the ceremony, Peggy Schmidt, Executive Director of the Partnership Transportation Association of Montgomery County and Workforce Investment Board Member, told the graduates to listen to the voice from within.

 

“The voice that comes from inside speaks from your heart and will truly guide you on your way,” she said. “I wish you the best on your next journey.”  

Congratulations Graduates

Seventy-seven students graduated from MCCC’s GED program this fall.

Blogger's Note: In honor of the recent push to support the YWCA's Adult Literacy Program and of my interview with my sister, who teaches GED classes in New York City, I present this submission from Alana J. Mauger
Director of Communications at Montgomery County Community College.

The Community Room at Montgomery County Community College’s West Campus in Pottstown overflowed with family and friends recently who applauded as 77 students earned their General Education Diplomas (GED) during the Fall GED Graduation ceremony.

College President Dr. Karen A. Stout congratulated the students, praising their tenacity and determination to accomplish this goal.

“You make some of the best role models of Montgomery County Community College because you have grit,” Dr. Stout said.

“Grit is one of the most important non-cognitive skills necessary to achieve success. It means using your passion to accomplish your goal, in this case your GED. But, it doesn’t end tonight with commencement. Continue your education, so you will have access to getting a job that will provide a living wage. We are proud of your grit.”

Yolanda Sills, of Pottstown, gave the student address at 

MCCC’s GED graduation ceremony.

Chair of the Montgomery County Commissioners Joshua D. Shapiro echoed her sentiments.

“You are here tonight because of your determination and commitment,” he said. “You found empowerment in yourself to accomplish this and it is not going to stop tonight. You have a brighter future ahead for what you have done and what you will continue to do.”

According to GED Program Coordinator /Instructor Raymond Ricketts, 735 students graduated since the program started in May 2006, and the graduation rate is 88 percent. 

The Montgomery County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) funds the program, which is free to Montgomery County students, and is held at the College’s West Campus. The fee for out-of-county students is $100, which includes the GED test.

Graduating from the rigorous five-week program gives students the sense of accomplishment they need to want to continue their education, especially for the student speaker Yolanda Sills of Pottstown, a 32-year-old mother of four children, who tried three times before passing the final examination.

“Tomorrow, I will be a college student,” she said, since enrollment for the College’s Spring semester started on Oct. 25. “I am going to pursue a Liberal Studies degree until I decide what I want to do.”

Many of the graduates will continue their education, like Paige Wasniewski, Pottstown, who will start classes at the College in January to pursue a career in sports medicine, and Nickia Ford-Oquendo, Pottstown, who is enrolled in the Culinary Arts Program. The Culinary Arts Institute is led by Director/Chef Christopher Tanner, who also served as the Keynote Speaker for the ceremony.

“There are three things that will help you to succeed,” he told the graduates. “Mentorship, passion and opportunity.” Tanner explained how mentors enabled him to shape his passion and achieve goals throughout his career. Now, he is serving as a mentor for the students in the Culinary Arts Program.

The evening ended with final congratulations from WIB Chairman Harvey Portner, who has attended every GED ceremony since the program started.