Adult Ed graduates

Photo:

RSU 16 Adult Education graduates.

MECHANIC FALLS — Thirty-seven students were honored at a graduation ceremony on Friday, May 4, for earning their high school diploma or GED® diploma through RSU 16 Adult Education. Approximately 175 people were gathered in the Elm Street School gymnasium as graduates who were able to attend the ceremony marched single file to “Pomp and Circumstance” played by pianist, ShuJing Lian.

State Senator Lois Snowe-Mello congratulated the graduates on their achievements and encouraged them to continue with their education. Former Director of the program, Nancy Watson, delivered an inspirational message and was later presented with a plaque honoring her 21 years of dedicated service to the Adult Education program.

Graduate Kathleen Fraser conveyed the sense of pride she felt about her accomplishment as she shared her personal story of going to Adult Education “to finish what [she] could not back in 1961.”

Several graduates were recognized with awards for outstanding performance: Christopher White – Achievement; Sunny Corbin – Determination; Stephanie Cook – Perseverance and Mark Duval – Transformation.

The Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland Adult Education Association awarded the Patricia J. Demers Scholarship in the amount of $500 to Kelsey Bailey. Walter Ridlon, of Central Maine Community College, awarded the 10th annual Courage to Grow scholarship to Heather Coulombe.

Before receiving their diplomas from School Committee Chairperson, Mary Ella Jones, graduates personally thanked family, friends, and educators who supported them in their educational journey by presenting them with a red carnation.

Director Jenny Rose thanked the adult education staff for their dedication to students and encouraged graduates to use the satisfaction of the evening as inspiration to go forward with their future plans.

The 2012 graduates are Kelsey Bailey, Ashley Bower, Lisa Bragdon, Stephanie Cook, Sunny Corbin, Heather Coulombe, Emylie Dalrymple, Ashley Davis, Trisha Donahue, Mark Duval, Chelsea Emery, Daniel Foss, Kathleen Fraser, Samuel Gallardo, Jr., Aaron Hall, Tyde Hall, Javan Huntley, Austin Jordan, Brandon Kimball, Joseph Lapointe, III, Scott Marston, Anthony Marvin, Nicholas Page, Paul Parreault, Kyle Pelletier, David Poulin, II, Dawn Rideout, Ashley Rines, Brandon Roberts, Jesse Rubly, Korey St. Pierre, Samuel Thomas, III, Steven Thurlow, Christopher White and Joshua White.

If your goal is to obtain an adult high school diploma or GED® diploma, call 345-3217 or visit mechanicfalls.maineadulted.org. To find the Adult Education program nearest you, visit maineadulted.org.