2007

Harrison said she began her GED journey in 2003 by

high school at age 18. After working several labor inten– sive jobs for minimum wage pay, Bullock returned to school and received his GED diploma in 1991. He continued his education at Hinds Community College and Mississippi State University and studied law at the Missis– sippi College School of Law and the University of Tulsa College of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate in 2003. Bullock, who noted that his road to success also includes eight years of military service, praised the graduates for their accomplishment and, ... also urged them to encourage oth– ers who do not have high school diplomas to enroll in a GED program and better their lives. "T maclc mnny mistnkc•s wlwn 1 WHfl .YIIIIIll_:or· nnd I wno unable to finish my high school education," Bullock stated. "But I realized that - although it would be difficult- I could go back to school, get my GED diploma and still pursue my dream of becoming an attor– ney." Bullock noted that he is now in position to "give back" to those who need encourage– ment, inspiration and guid– ance in following their own goals and dreams. "It is rewarding for me to be able to help others in this regard, and I feel honored that others look at my hard work and dedication in getting an education as an example of what can happen when you create goals and then pursue and achieve those goals." He concluded his remarks to the graduates by stressing what he calls are the three "P's:" Passion, Plan and Persis– tence.

< enrolling in night classes. ~ s When it was t ime to take the ;o Z GED exam, she passed every - 00 subject but math. ~ d "I was so disappointed," she '"T1 z stated. "All I needed was 20 (") more points." ~ 0 Harrison returned to school ;::u C but missed half the class meet– -i ~ ings. She took the test a few 0 -< more times but again was dis– Z c._ appointed in the results and 0 decided to take a year off, ~ which she admits was a mis– Z take. )> "Everything I had learned r from before was gone...but after studying really hard I did much better on the exam in 2005. All I needed was 10 more points to pass, and again I was so frustrated that I had thought about not going back ," she recalled. t B11t H:wriAon Atud s lu• w.u determmed to reach her goal and gave credit to her family - especially her grandchildren– and friends with providing the inspiration to succeed. She also thanked her teachers - ~ ~ Janice Gr~en, Janice Hunter ::r: )> and the late Jean Landers "for m ;;c believing in me when I did not :::U 0 believe in myself." Z "Although Mrs. Landers is r not with us anymore," Harri– ~ son said, "I can hear her say, '"' 'Teresa, I knew you could do m it!'" ;;c She concluded her remarks by referring to her GED diplo– ma as a "major achievement in my life. I'm living my dream and you can, too."

Recent GED graduate Teresa Harriscm (left) of McCool visits with Jackson attorney Jonathan Bullpc~ (center) and Gene Davis, dean of adult and continuing education at East Central Community Col· lege, following the College's 11th (!n~ual GEQ commencement held on tho Decatur campus. ' Harrison, , 5~, gave her testimonial during thCl opoclal program which olso fcnttfipU ro111mko by Oulloclc. who I also a GED graduate. "You need to have' passion

nuhwt<'s, who·nlsv i11<:lu(l e~! Hnu1nnt.hn Kaitliti Loigh KiiHtnl, Nox.npater; .lody E. ist; and A~E/r .1•10 ~~wtru9tor BrYfl.u Rtpt. "' t>rdlct.ion. or in IIH·ma tiun on the) Col te4e's AUEjG I~J) prpgr{l~ ct•n ta1t tlu~. Ofli~·e_ ?f .Adult _nr1d CihBlll~.'g .b.d.uc.·a. Lwn, Hh_o1l.t 60 -6:l5~::ll,U ,or ~lll lQU !!'(It'. 1- 77 4(>~·3222, ext. 279. 1fhe enlail nddress gdavis(rilercc.edu.

the desire to be somtlthing; you must have a plan to reach you1 goal; and you need to be JH't'flis tent to get where you need to be. Hard work really doCfi pn~' off. So I encourage em:h of you to think big and drenm hig, because the sky really is t ilt limit!" A fourth generation at torn e)', Bullock specializes in civil liti– gation defense as a ml'mlu•t· of firm Shell Buford. PLI...C in Jackson. He is also involved in vanous civic' organizations Hud donates numerous hoUt'R toward voluntary endeavors, including his service as n member of the Mississippi Department of Education's Drop-Out Prevention 'l'nsl ' Force Committee. ECCC President Dr. Phil A Sutphin presented diplomas to

~ m m :7.:: 0 '"T1

Harrison said she hopes to continue her education by enrolling in classes at ECCC. Harrison was joined at the podium by Jackson attorney J onathan Bullock who was the guest speaker. Bullock, 33, dropped out of

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