GED graduates earn free MGCCC fall college classes
Saturday, June 12, 2004
By DONNA HARRIS
The Mississippi Press

Dr. Rick Christmas, vice president of the JC Campus (right), congratulates one of almost 100 students who recently passed the GED and were honored during a ceremony on June 11.

The avenues that brought them to this ceremony were varied, but all of the graduates were offered the same road to travel at its conclusion. They were young and old; white, black and Hispanic, and from various financial backgrounds.

Fifty-six students were present to receive their General Education Development certificates Friday evening at ceremonies held at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College's Jackson County Campus. What they had in common was that they worked diligently toward their goal and completed the task, and was ready for their next challenge.

Every student who completed the GED program is eligible to take one free class in the fall at any of the MGCCC campuses, with the college picking up the tab for tuition and book rental fees. Students scoring a 577 or higher earn tuition and books for two free classes. It was the second year for the graduation ceremonies, but the first that the college offered the scholarships.

Nearly 100 students received GED certificates this year in the program that covers Jackson, George, Stone, Harrison and Hancock counties. The graduation ceremony gives the students closure and celebrates their successful completion of the program.

Walking into the Fine Arts Auditorium to a piano accompaniment of "Pomp and Circumstance," the graduates were met with cheers from the more than 250 friends and family members who filled the back 11 rows.

Dr. Rick Christmas, vice president of the Jackson County Campus, welcomed the students to the ceremony. "We're proud of your accomplishments and we wish you good luck and God speed in the future," he said.

Ocean Springs High School principal Robert Hirsch gave the commencement speech at the ceremony. Hirsch, an educator of 31 years, said that he could identify with the students in the first three rows. He said he "fought and struggled" for his first two years of school because he didn't speak English when his family came to America when he was 6 years old.

Hirsch also told a story about the oldest two of his five daughters. The oldest didn't graduate because she had a chemical imbalance that kept her from being able to complete high school. His second daughter became pregnant at 16 and dropped out.

Both worked hard to earn their GEDs and then later pursued higher education, earning master's degrees. His oldest daughter teaches special education in Oklahoma, while the other daughter earned $250,000 last year in pharmaceutical sales last year.

"I'm telling you from experience, the GED saved those two girls," he said.

Hirsch commended the graduates for being able to persevere in the face of adversity. "You are special because you, for one reason or another, had to work harder than most of the people you went to school with," he said. "It's OK if you have to work harder, it's OK if you have to jump hurdles, as long as you end up in the same place."

Hirsch urged the graduates to say a "thank you" to their parents and families who offered support. "Thanks dad!" was hollered anonymously from the front row, followed by laughter and applause.

Sans caps and gowns, the students each made their way onto the stage to receive their certificate. One graduate hoisted her white manila envelope into the air and danced a jig. "I'm a real person now," she yelled to the audience.

GED grad Dean Soucy (back) celebrates with his family after the ceremony on the JC Campus

Dr. Elizabeth Nelms, who will soon be retiring as dean of Adult Basic Education at the college, said Frank Koch, the GED test examiner, was "tough, mean and contrary," but because of those qualities, the graduates have a credential they can "take anywhere and it will be honored."

Nelms said the ceremony gives the students closure. "It's something to celebrate," she said. "There are doors that have been opened because of these GEDs."

Nelms commended the college for their gift to the students. "I think it's marvelous that they have stepped up to do this," she said. "It's just like for high school graduates. It's becoming more and more important for them to go into higher education."

Triniss Hampton of Moss Point balanced an armload of roses in various shades of red with a bouquet of helium filled balloons and two glasses of bunch. She finished the GED program a few months ago, and is already attending the respiratory therapy program at the college.

Hampton, 23, dropped out of high school in the 11th grade, but is glad she got her GED so she could set an example for her two daughters.

Attending the ceremony was special for her, she said. "It made me feel like I am the queen. I feel like I have accomplished something so big, like you're the bomb," she said.

Virginia Overstreet, admissions specialist at MGCCC, helped Tabitha Yarber of Ocean Springs complete the paperwork for college. Overstreet, who holds both a GED certificate and a master's degree, said many of the graduates chose to go on to college.

"Right now they are entering another course of their lives. They are moving in a direction that's only going to benefit their future," she said.

Yarber, 23, said she was ready for college, but couldn't go until she got her GED. "It was time to get it. I wanted to better myself," she said.