2008

'Follow Your Dreams,' GED Graduate Tells Audience

"It was very hard to fit any time in for classes and studying since I was a full-time manager. a full-time mamma to a two-year-old, a step-mom to two teenage boys that always seemed hungry and a wife to my husband that depended onme for supper," she stated. But three months later, she passed the GED and all her efforts proved worthwhile. She expressed ap– preciation'to her instructors, Bryan and Mary Burt, and Ed McGowan "for all the encouragement they gave me.., She also thanked "God, my family and friends" for support and faith. "The most important thing 1 learned about getting my GED is that the Lord never closes one door with– out opening another," sh~ said. "l en– courage everyone tonight to openwhat– ever doors to success you desire. Go to college, join the military or go for that job you always wanted.'' Parker. whose plans include attending East Central in the near fu– ntre, concluded her remarks by urging those in attendance "to follow your dreams and never give up." During his junior year at Scott Central High SchooL Martin said "things got tough." so be and his fam– ily decided it was best for him to be– come a home- school student. "I coulo get some schooling in and help my did (Steve Martin) with his business (One-Stop Construction)," the younger Martin said. ''Things went as planned for about a month." But then everything "started going downhill," Russell stated. ·'My dad needed m0re help and 1 was doing less school work. lt got to where T had a full-time job with my dad and my pencil wasn't getting moved around as much." So Russell, with encourage– ment from his family, decided in Janu– ary 2008 it was time to enroll in GED courses offered in Forest. "And thanks tomy instructors - Mrs. (Carol) Greer, Mrs. (Teresa) Lovett and Mrs. (Elizabeth) Nuu, I was able to pass the GED exam," Russell stated. "1could not have done it with– out their help!" Russell also plans to enroll in fall classes at ECCC. His career goal is to work with the Mississippi Depruiment of Wildlife. Fisheries and Parks. State SenatorGilesWard ofLouisvitte, who served as guest speaker, praised " the graduates for their accomplishment. "The GED you have earned - notice I said earned- is a great positiye step in finding a job or changing to a new job m r>~kin

Ashley Crapps of Philadel– phia dropped out of high school be– cause she thought she "knew every– thing" and school "was not important.'' Sherelle Parker of Lawrence, also a high school dropout, thought an education "was not necessmy" until she was unable to help her stepson with his homework. Russell Martin ofHarperville left school in hopes ofworking :full time with his father while also being a home school student. "I spent more time. working and less time studying," said th~ 18-year-old Martin. What these three had in com– mon was that all came to the same con– clusion: to succeed in life they needed to return to school and get their higb school diplomas. All three accomplished their goal and were among the 45 GED (General Educational Development) graduates who received diplomas dur– ing the annual ceremony held July 24, 2008, at East Central Community Col– lege in Decatur. But not only did they walk across the HuffAuditorium stage with fellow graduates, they all shared their personal stories through testimonials. In Ashley's case, she quit school al age 17 prior to her senior year in 2002-04 at Neshoba CentraL She moved to Houma, La., with her boy– friend but soon realized she had made a mistake and wanted to return to schooL But since she bad missed sev– eral weeks of classes, she would have to wait until the following year to be– gin her senior year. So she remained in Houma for about two years, working at vari– ous jobs. During this time she had a son. She and her boyfriend also parted ways. She returned to Philadelphia in 2006 and found employment at mini– mum wage jobs. Crapps said she began taking GED classes in March 2007 at the Philadelphia/Neshoba County Voca– tional-Technical Center. She said she passed the exam following ''a lot of prayer and studying" in October 2007. The 22-year-old plans to en– roll in EC this fall. Her career goal is to become a medical lab technician. "It's never too late for change....never too late to get an edu– cation.'' Crapps stated. Parker. 24, is married and has two stc:,psons and a daughter. She sajd receiving an education has been a life– IQn" challenge "When 1 was in the first Qrarle. T wrts rlirtPnn~erl with rlv~1Pxi~

College's ABEtGED program.

"My wife, Kay. is a GED m– struclor in Louisvitle. I know first-hand how exciting it is to find out that a stu– dent has passed one or more parts of the equivalency exam - and I've wit– nessed how your instructors actually shed tears when they learn you've ac– complished the important goal ofearn– ing your GED. "When you receive your di– ploma tonight." he cominued...you're going to have new doors opening in front of you. And alI that will happen because you had the courage to simply do it.. ..You're leaving here with a ticket to a better life- and T want to be the first to congratulate you." ECCC President Dr. Phil A. Sutphin presented diplomas to the 45 graduates. Also participating in the pro– gram were Dr. Lavinia Sparkman, vice president for instruction; Gene Davis. dean of Adult and Continuing Educa– tion; ABE/GED instructors Ed McGowan and Bryan Burt; ECCC mu– sic instructor Len Bobo; and vocalist Dinah Lachney. ECCC offers free ABE/GED classes in various locations throughout the College's five-county district. tor more information contact the Office of Adult and Continuing Education, Phone 601-635-2 I11 or call toll free. 1-877-462-3222. ext. 278 or 279. The e-mail address is gda\ is@,eccc.edu.

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least." I realized l did not want to bean hour! )'I Parker remained in school un- retail employee my whole life," sh< til the end of the IOth grade. She took stated. Parker said she also realized i the GED test several times but was .not something happened to her current job successful. She got a job in retail and "it would be very difficult to find em received a promotion about the same ployment without starting at rock bot time she married Keith Parker who had tom again since I did not have an edu two sons. A year later she and Keith cation." had a girl, Chyann. who is now three In August 2007, she resume~ years old. ·< taking GED classes offered durin! Parker recalled ber life "was evening hours on the ECCC campu fine'' until one night she was unable to She admitted it was not an easy tim help her younger stepson. Kelly, who for her and her family. was 15 years old at the time, with his homework.