Four graduates participated in a ceremony Friday night when they received their GED diplomas. Pictured, from left are Angela Peel, Jennifer Payned, Bobie Hall, and Gwendonlyn Cromer. Photo by Lisa Bicknell
By LISA BICKNELL
CV&T News Editor
On Friday night, four of eight students who recently earned a Graduation Equivalency Diploma (GED) participated in a graduation ceremony at West Irvine Intermediate.
Director of Adult Education Mary Skipper said, “We are so proud of you.”
Skipper said she always asks students what they are going to do after they graduate, not if they graduate.
She noted that the official test changed in 2014 and is more rigorous than ever.
“You are our ambassadors now,” she said. “You are second to no one. You cannot lose what has now been given to you.”
Skipper also recognized instructors Patti Reese and Carmie Jordan who are retiring after several years at the adult education center.
Tom Bonny, former superintendent of Estill County schools, also addressed the graduates.
“Take a moment to think about a person you look up to,” he said. “…we all look up to you.”
Current superintendent Jeff Saylor also spoke.
“What a blessing it is to be here,” he said.
Saylor said he attended 12 graduations as a principal in Bell County, but “never a ceremony like this.”
Acquiring the GED says something about your character, Saylor told the graduates.
“It is important to persevere, and nothing to be ashamed about.”