Students from a wide variety of backgrounds received honors at the WEST Adult Education Consortium’s Graduation and Awards Ceremony in Discovery Auditorium on Tuesday, June 11.
A total of 42 individuals were recognized for earning their General Educational Development (GED) certificates, a credential equivalent to a high school diploma. Ten of those individuals were present at the ceremony, and Carmen Chimborazo provided a student address that told the story of how she persevered to earn the credential. Gavin Jacobson also took part in a question-and-answer session with Adult Basic Education GED teacher Terrisa Fisher, explaining his motivation to seek his GED and his journey along the way.
In addition to the GED graduates, about 70 individuals received Adult Learner Achievement Awards recognizing their accomplishments in a range of activities, from learning the English language to improving their skills in math and reading.
Student speakers Mirla Coronado and Marysel Mercado Bernal told their stories of coming to the United States and feeling a loss of confidence in their own previously well-established abilities without knowing English, a situation they remedied through study in the Adult Basic Education program.
The ceremony also included an address by volunteer tutor Suzie Fox and recognition of West ABE volunteers, as well as special music by Char McDonnell. BHM Community Education Director Kim Carlson and West ABE Program Coordinator Jill Dechaine welcomed those in attendance and provided introductory comments.
About ABE Adult Basic Education (ABE) is a free state-wide program that serves those working toward high school credentials, learning English, improving basic skills like reading and math, and preparing for post-secondary education or employment. Locally, the program is facilitated by Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Community Education.
While there is no cost to participants, funding for the program is provided by both state and federal sources. In Minnesota, the programs are provided through 34 regions that encompass school districts, correctional facilities, businesses and community organizations.
WEST ABE is one of the 34 regional ABE programs, and stretches from Foley in the north to Glencoe in the south, and from Orono and Albertville in the east to Annandale and Howard Lake in the west. This year the WEST program was provided in 16 school districts, the Monticello Career Force Center, two local businesses and four county jails. It served over 1,500 students from 68 countries. Those students studied more than 42,000 hours, a 17.5% increase in teaching hours from the previous year.
For more information on the local program, contact Terrisa Fisher at 763.682.8509, or visit the WEST website at www.westabe.org.
