2014 Combined

Sixty-eight-year-old veteran overcomes odds to receive GED diploma at ECCC special to The Star

For most people in their late 60s, returning to the da. :.room to receive a high school education is furthest thing from their mind. But not Larry Druery of Morton, who accomplished the feat while also over coming three near-death experiencec: along the way. Druery, a ~ avy veteran, wa. . among approximately 70 ;;,tudents of various ages to receroe high --chool equ1va lency diploma' at East Cen t r. . . Community College's ~t"-i-annual GED Gradua a •D held earlier thi. spring in Huff Auditorium on the Decatur campuc:. For Druery, earning a GED diploma repre-.ents an important miJe..tone in his life .and a des.ire that has been fulfilled -1 ha... been a long and dif fk"Ult j urn~ \\1th many obst..de, m m) path,~ ,aid Druery, who v;a adopted at age 1 by an aunt after hi... father died in a hou,~ fire. "Like man) or my fellow graduate,, l dropped out of school at a young age I served a tour ofdull m the

Spec11I to The Stir

These proud GED graduates provided testimonials at the semi-annual GED Graduation held earlier this spring at East Central Community College in Decatur. From left are Beatrice Moore, 58, of Decatur; Larry Druery, 68, of Morton; Annette Fortune, 51, of Carthage; and Angela Coley, 32, of Pulaski. They were among the approximately 70 students who received their high school equivalence diplomas at the special ceremony held in Huff Auditorium. my 10th grade school year, I became pregnan\ and

yourself when you finally have that GED Diploma in your hand." Moore, 58, is a native of New Orleans. She left the area after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and spent two years in Texas and four years in New Jersey before coming to Decatur in 2012. She is married to the Rev. Jimmy Moore, pastor of Decatur Missionary Baptist Church.

road, I have not put the car in reverse. I got my GED diploma, and I am now at an intersection where I have choices for a better life." Coley, 33, completed ABE/GED classes held at the Morton Public Library. For Coley, earning a GED Diploma was not only a dream for herself but also for her father, who died on Jan. 6, 2014.

Navy: worked man) dif ferent jobs: and went through three near-death experience... I am now 6S year old. and God has allowed me to reach an important goal. I will i rever be thankful to Him for Ht watchful care over me," he said. APPEARED IN: v NEWTON COUNTY APPEAL CARTHAGINIAN

dropped out of high school. Two months later, I was mar ried, and 19 years later I was divorced. A single mother with two boys to raise, I .;pent years working min imum-wage and low-income jobs until God allowed by perfect storm of losing my job ofthe last 11 ? years because of an arm injur}~."

NESHOBA DEMOCRAT scon COUNTY TIMES

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