Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute held its annual Adult High School and High School Equivalency graduation exercises on Thursday, May 10, at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center in Lenoir. The ceremony honored 79 new graduates.
CCC&TI trustee Thomas Thuss opened the ceremonies with a welcome and spoke briefly about the class of 2018 and its accomplishments. Thuss noted graduates hailed from communities across Caldwell and Watauga counties and ranged in age from 16 to 57.
Jimmy Council, Dean of Adult and Continuing Education, recognized the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award, Dr. Caleb Marsh. The award recognizes an alumnus or alumnae of the GED/AHS program who epitomizes the philosophy that the AHS or High School Equivalency diploma is a new beginning and who has worked to achieve additional credentials, a career with life sustaining wages, and who is representative of what hard work, persistence and motivation can achieve. Marsh earned his high school equivalency diploma at CCC&TI in 1997 and shortly after earned his Associate Degree on the college’s Watauga Campus. Marsh went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Appalachian State University and recently completed his doctorate at Old Dominion University. Marsh is employed full time at CCC&TI and teaches all levels of mathematics and statistics. He is also a certified appreciative advisor and serves as Faculty Senate President.
Kim Hinton, College and Career Readiness Department Chair, offered special thanks to the Foundation of CCC&TI for its help covering the cost of GED testing for students. “The Foundation has assisted every graduate on this stage with the cost,” she said.
Hinton also recognized this year’s 5 honor graduates who were distinguished by their gold tassels. Honor graduates must either score above 3,000 on GED tests or maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in Adult High School courses.
Graduate speakers at the event were Julie Green, Belinda Patton, Emily Simmons, Michael Walker, Jr. and Amber Watson.
Julie Green faced major health issues that forced her to drop out of high school. After numerous hospital stays and brain surgeries, her doctors told her mother there was little hope for her to continue her education. “They said I wouldn’t be able to learn anything more, but they were wrong,” said Green. “All it took was time, patience and the support of my mom and close friends.” Green said that she has made many attempts at accomplishing her goal of graduating and finally made it a reality this spring. “On the day I took my last exam, I walked the college parking lot for an hour waiting for the results. When the email came, I was terrified to open it. With trembling hands and a lump in my throat, I opened it. The tears started immediately. I called mom. I did it, mom! I passed. I’m graduating finally!” Green said that she hoped her experience would inspire others. “It’s okay to fail but never give up and never underestimate yourself,” said Green. “Thank you to everyone who believed in me, especially you, mom. We did it. We really did it!”
Belinda Patton said that the birth of her grandson TJ inspired her to come back to school and earn her GED. “God sent this grandbaby to live with me. At 43, I was starting over raising a baby,” she said. “When TJ started pre-k, I decided things were going to be different for us. I need to be able to set a good example for him and show him how to make good choices.” Patton is now enrolled in CCC&TI’s Culinary Arts Program and is starting an internship this summer with a local restaurant. “I want to thank God for guiding me and showing me His path for my life…and most of all, I want to thank my sweet little boy TJ for being my reason and my inspiration.”
Emily Simmons earned her adult high school diploma and encouraged others to believe in themselves and their ability to reach their goals. “We can be anything we want to be and achieve anything with hard work and dedication. If anyone ever puts you down, prove to them they are wrong. Go back to school, go for that job, or whatever it is that you desire,” said Simmons. Simmons has plans to enroll in CCC&TI’s Ophthalmic Medical Assistant program and to take a photography class. “I think everyone should follow their dreams, even if you are the only one who believes in them.”
Michael Walker, Jr. expresses his appreciation for his instructors and his girlfriend for their encouragement and for believing in his abilities. “So here I am, graduated, having done better than I ever could have imagined; achieving goals I thought unachievable. When I began this program, I was met with such encouragement,” said Walker. “They gave me the tools and I used them the best I could with more determination than I’ve ever had. They all believed in me and here I am.”
Amber Watson earned her GED through courses offered at the Family Resource Center. “I wanted to provide a better life for my two children. I wanted to be someone they could look up to and be proud of,” she said. Watson said that the Family Resource Center allowed her to bring her daughter with her to the center and that they both had a great experience. “It was a wonderful experience for her and her teacher was also amazing,” she said. After completing her GED, Watson also completed CCC&TI’s Phlebotomy class and the Nurse Aide training. She will enter CCC&TI’s Associate Degree Nursing program this fall. “I have accomplished many goals this year and want to thank everyone who helped me get here.”
CCC&TI President Dr. Mark Poarch presented high school equivalency graduates with their diplomas. Poarch was joined by Superintendent of Caldwell County Schools Dr. Steve Stone to make diploma presentations to Adult High School graduates.
Poarch encouraged graduates to continue learning and to continue on their paths to success. “Don’t let tonight be the end, let it be the beginning of a journey of life-long learning,” he said. “Every single one of you has the talent and ability to succeed. Be proud and take the time to celebrate but also be willing to take those bold next steps and know that we will be here to support you every step of the way.”
Poarch closed the ceremonies, congratulating graduates for their achievements and bestowing upon them the official rights and privileges associated with their degrees. Amidst the cheers and applause of graduates and audience members, Poarch had graduates ceremoniously turn their tassels to indicate their official graduate status.
A reception in honor of the Class of 2018 was held following the ceremony.
For more information on CCC&TI’s Adult High School and High School Equivalency Programs, call 828.726.2230 (Caldwell) or 828.297.5253 (Watauga) or visit www.cccti.edu
