GED Graduation held
COSHOCTON – Family members applauded and cheered as a dozen graduates walked across the stage at the Triple Locks Theater to receive their diploma during the 2012-2013 GED Graduation Ceremony, held Sunday evening, June 23. The program is through the Coshocton County Job & Family Services ABLE Program, and coordinated by Nate Hackenbracht. He told the graduates, “Every face here is a story, every face is an accomplishment.” Forty-two students graduated from the program for 2012-13 .
Lynn Jacobs, Coshocton JFS Workforce Administrator, offered congratulatory remarks and thanked the ABLE staff for their efforts and support of the students; Hackenbracht, Pam Chaney and Sherri Gibson. The students applauded the staff for their contributions to their success.
Joy Padgett was the honorary guest speaker and told the students, “Think of your problems as challenges and make a plan to achieve your goals. Positive thoughts produce positive action,” said Padgett.
“Live every day as if it might be your last. No one has a contract for tomorrow. I’m no different than you.” Padgett talked about her upbringing on Morgan Run Road and said, “My parents always told me to “Keep on keeping on.” There is an opportunity out there looking for you . . . you have to be able to recognize it. Laugh at least once each day.”
Padgett told the story of the Starfish – a story that she said she has shared with many classes and students over the years.
Padgett concluded by telling the graduates to, “Watch your thoughts, they become words, your words become habits, habits shape your character, and your character determines your destiny, your destiny becomes your life.”
Bobbi Brown, one of this year’s graduates, spoke on behalf of the class, telling the students with raised arms, “We did it!”
Brown said following the graduation, “It feels wonderful, I did it. I give credit to myself and I especially want to thank Connie Bassett for supporting me. When I took the test in 2012 I didn’t pass it – my goals allowed me to continue. You can’t stop now; you gotta keep your feet walking toward your goal.”
Judy Chaney, another graduate, said, “It feels good. I didn’t think I would pass it the first time around. I had a lot of support from my family. It’s a real good program.” Chaney said she would tell others considering the GED program, “It’s never too late.”
mark@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: Education
