GED recipients recognized at local ceremony
Published on Jul 22, 2024
By Megan Smedley
Maysville Community and Technical College’s Adult Education program was honored to celebrate the success of the nearly 50 individuals who earned their GED last year.
The ceremony was held Friday, June 28 in Fields Auditorium of the Maysville campus, with 21 students walking across the stage to be recognized.
Dr. Laura McCullough, MCTC President/CEO, spoke to graduates about the bright futures ahead of them. She encouraged them to pursue higher education at MCTC, reminding them of the numerous pathways the college offers to meet the needs of local/regional employers in sustainable public and private sectors.
Also speaking was Alexandra Martin, who was also a graduate of the adult education program. Martin is now an MCTC alumnus and served as a student ambassador on the KCTCS Board of Regents.
Martin discussed her non-traditional path as both an adult learner and an international student, and encouraged students to persevere in their plans, no matter the obstacles.
The Outstanding Student award, given to one GED graduate each program year, was presented to Mr. George Carrington in recognition of his persistence, work ethic, and dedication to lifelong learning.
Carrington plans to pursue higher education at MCTC this fall.
“I am incredibly proud of our graduates,” said Dustin Grooms, Director of Adult Education. “Many of them have persisted through difficult circumstances in their personal lives and have beat the odds.”
He added, “For our graduates, earning a GED is not just a personal milestone but also a sure way to create a better life for themselves, their families, and their communities. It is just the beginning of a new chapter for them, with the opportunity to go into additional education and training in pursuit of being lifelong learners. Our graduation ceremony recognizes both the achievements of our graduates while looking forward to what paths they will chart in the future.”
The MCTC Adult Education Program helps anyone 18 and older who is not currently enrolled in a secondary school with a variety of educational goals, such as preparing for the GED exam, learning English as a second language, or preparing for college or employment.
According to a 2019 report from the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, about 22 percent of working-age Kentuckians have a low level of literacy. The same report indicated that roughly 33 percent of Kentucky residents aged 25 years and older had a high school degree or equivalency as their highest level of education.
MCTC Adult Education classes are available in Bracken, Fleming, Harrison, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas, and Robertson Counties.
