2006

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press reports

~~~ 29, made the comments - recemng her high school ~>alency diploma at the GED Graduation held at - Central Community Col– Decatur. r......:....Jc.<:e"-· one of three graduates ._.,.~tt:•n!! testimonials during Epecial ceremony, continued remarks by stating she is • iliat "choices can be £'00 and dreams can come The mother of three children d she realized that "some–

g"' was missing in her life, d that she could fill the void by &aug her GED at East Cen- These Winston and Neshoba County residents were among area students who received their hig .. school equivalency diplomas during the annual GED Graduation Ceremony held July 15, 2006, a :-'he credits those three chil- East Central Community College In Decatur. From left are Brook Danielle Jackson of Ph adelphla rt:n- Bobby, Brittany and Jacob and Matthew Barre~ Jonathan Eaves and Zachary Fulton, all of Louisville. ECCC offers Adult Bas· and her husband, Michael, for Education and General Education Development classes at various locations throughout the College's e "inspiration" to achieve a five-county district, which includes Leake, Nashoba, Newton, Scott and Winston Counties For mo ·e'h school education. information confect the Office of Adult and Continuing Education, Phone 601-635-2111 or call tc "My children helped me in free, 1-8n-462·3222, ext. 278/279. The email address is mdavls@eccc.edu. (EC Photo1 ,more ways than I can express," James stated. "Thank you for ization that obtaining my GED Walters said she plans to stay never giving up on Momma." is very important to me and my home a year after her child is James also thanked her hus- family." born and then enroll in ECCC's band "for showing me a different Walters, who is about to give cosmetology program. and better path along this jour- birth to her second child, said During her comments, Wilson,

ney called life. You are a true she realized earlier this year 31, said she quit school at age 17 blessing and I would not be that the best way for her to help and only a few months from stranding here today \\1thout provide for their growing family graduation. your love and ~:ncouragement!" s to obtain her GED. "The heartbreak I felt leaving She a.E gaYe apprecw.tion to "I feel a brick wall h~ been lift- -=chool "ithout achieving my ~~~-~m-an~~~bd:~~ . ~~ ~

-he :.tatea. ~ know tne uates feel the ~arne wav."

Uun ~ft m~mt>el' Jant: Jack– son, Ed McGowan, JliDDly Dempsey, Ryan Clarke and Bryan and Mary Burt "for help– ing make my journey lighter and my road more directed." James said her next goal is to become a member of the Missis– sippi National Guard. Also providing testimonials were DeeDee Walters ofDecatur and Roxanne Wilson ofHickory. ".alters, 25. recalled in her remarks that ilie had quit chool ;,even year- ago "because I th • a diploma was not .... But I stand here toda~ w1th the real-

stated. ?\ow, 16 years latel, Wll--on ~d she has finallv achieved her dream, although she faced many obstacles during the process. She praiSed her children - Coneasha, Ashley and· Marquez- for the inspiration needed to keep her focused on her work "No matter what was going on in my life, my children urged me to get my education. They kept telling me they were on my side StUd proud of what I was trying 'to do," she said. Wilson also thanked ECCC staffers Jane Jack..;on and Ed

Walters also thanked her hiD>– band, Scotty; their son, Stephen, and other family members for helping her achieve her goal of getting the GED. "You all believed in me and helped keep me encouraged. I would not be standing here today Without your love and sup– port!" She also gave credit to ECCC for offering the GED program, andthanked her instructors - Bryan Burt, Jane Jackson and Ed McGowan - for therr encour– agement and ...upport.