Students receive GED during graduation ceremony
GADSDEN, AL – Gadsden State Community College hosted its 2025 Adult Education Graduation for 35 students who earned their general equivalency or high school diploma. The ceremony was held May 1 at Beck Gymnasium on the Wallace Drive Campus.
“Congratulations, graduates,” said Hollie Patterson, director of Adult Education Services. “You have made the first step in your journey. We want to watch you fly. Enjoy, celebrate and plan your next steps.”
During the ceremony, Candida Pedro Aguirre was awarded a scholarship worth more than $2,100 to Gadsden State. A married mother of three, Aguirre dropped out of high school but was motivated to get her high school diploma to show her children that education is important. A native Spanish speaker who translates for her Guatemalan parents, Aguirre will continue her education to one day become a professional translator.
All completers are eligible for one free class at Gadsden State as well.
Fifteen students earned their GED, which requires them to pass four test subjects, including language arts, math, science and social studies. Most of the students took advantage of Gadsden State’s free GED preparation courses taught in Calhoun, Cleburne and Cherokee counties.
Students obtaining a GED are Alex Carson, Clayton Chapman, Mary Cote, Brandon Evans, James Floyd, Lonna Holloway, Jade Holloway, Magen Johnson, Miguel Martinez, Ava Miller, Logan Rosado, Stuart Stanley, Anthony Wallace, Christine Wyatt and Ranie Zvodar.
There were 20 students recognized for earning their high school diplomas through the Non-traditional High School Diploma Option offered in partnership with the Alabama Community College System and the Alabama State Department of Education.
The HSDO is available for an adult who attended an Alabama high school and earned enough credits to graduate but did not pass the high school graduation exam as well as adults who earned 10 or more credits from an Alabama high school but required additional credits for high school completion.
The following students received a high school diploma from the last Alabama high school they attended: Daisy Watts, Luna Wallen, Santanner Walker, Triston Taylor, Derrick Taylor, Chelsie Loveless Storey, Jessica Roberts, Ryan Pierce, Candida Pedro Aguirre, Lucas Ledbetter, LaTiffani Knight, Billy Manning Hunt, Kristy Hicks, Bessie Hatcher, Ava Fronek, Rodreka Croft, Micki Chambless, Magen Carroll, Byron Tasheem and Christina Aguilar.
Graduates who spoke at the ceremony were James Floyd, Luna Wallen and Magen Carroll.
Dr. Alan Cosby was the keynote speaker. Diplomas were awarded by Dr. Tera Simmons, executive vice president of Gadsden State.
“This is the beginning of a new day for you and your families,” she said. “You have overcome obstacles and difficulties to come to this defining moment – your graduation. Continue to move forward. Continue to dream. I’m confident that with your hard work, you will achieve your goals.”
For more information about the GED program as well as other programs and services offered in Adult Education Services, visit gadsdenstate.edu/adulted.
