2003

WEEKOF ~A~'~' 3~~~----------

ECCC GED grads celebrate achieveDlents Spedal to The Record

lency diploma in January. She officially received her diploma at ECCC's annual GED Graduation Ceremo– ny held earlier this sum– mer. Odom, now 18, was among four graduates from the 31 members of the Class of 2003 who provided testimonials during the commencement exercises. She told the packed crowd in Huff Auditor ium that completing the GED is a major accomplishment in her life. Also providing testimo– nials were J. J. Graham of Decatur, Frances Watkins

of Conehatta and Gloria Wylie of Louisville. Jimmy Dempsey, chief GED examiner and retired ECCC vo-tech counselor, was guest speaker. He congratulated the graduates and briefly dis– cussed three topics each graduate likely faces in life: adversity, opportunity and success. "You've been enthusias– tic or you would not have been here tonight. I'm also enthusiastic about your accomplishment, and wish you the best of luck as you continue your education," Demosev said.

For more info For more information regarding the College's Adult Basic Education/GED Program, contact the Office of Adult and Continumg Education, Phone 635-2111 or call toll free, 1-877-462- 3222. The email address is mdavis@eccc.edu.

Nicole Odom of Forest said there were times in high school when she could no longer cope with peer pressure. Her grades began to fail and she found her– self in an impossible situa– tion. Realizing that she would be classified as a freshman at the age of 17, she was ready to quit school. Life seemed hopeless for Odom, until her grand– mother (Rose Mary Mont– gomery) told her about the GED (General Education Development) Program offered by East Central

Community College in Decatur. Odom enrolled in the program in August 2002, and through "a lot of hard work" she successfully completed requirements for her high school equiva-

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