Darlington County Adult Education Graduation
49 very proud Adult Education graduates, along with equally proud family and friends, gathered Tuesday evening, May 24, in the historic St. John’s Auditorium to celebrate the achievement of this milestone.
Ranging in age from 17 to 56, the graduating class included a husband/wife pair, at least two newlyweds, a musician who plays drums in four bands, a young man who plays drums for his church, an artist whose body is adorned with some of his own artwork, and several individuals who recently gave birth to their babies.
Although Darlington’s Adult Education Program has awarded nearly 300 Work Keys employability credentials this year, only TWO of the evening’s graduates (Joshua Lance Kendall and Jessica Heindel) attained the highly coveted GOLD level certificate. For the first time since the inception of the Work Keys credential, Darlington County recognized a graduate, Sean M. Odom, who attained the new PLATINUM credential.
Knowing that the attainment of a high school credential marks the beginning, not the end, of their respective journeys, a number of the graduating class have already enrolled at Florence-Darlington Technical College, Coker College, and Kenneth Shuler Cosmetology School. Members of the graduating class of 2011 plan to pursue careers as artists, architects, counselors, educators, health care professionals, foresters, cosmetologists, paralegals, administrative assistants, mechanics, and welders.
Graduate Betty Rubio provided the welcome, while fellow graduate Amanda Hamilton issued the Challenge to Graduates. During the course of the ceremony, Lottie J. Coe was honored as the Susan B. Jordan Memorial Award recipient; in addition, RaJohnathan Samuel and Joseph Williams were recognized as for their determination in holding fast to their dreams of achieving a high school credential.
Director Portia McJunkin commented: “This celebration of our students’ success is always the high point of our year. We recognize that it is not easy to work, maintain family commitments, and attend school – yet many of our graduates have done just that. My faculty, staff, and I are extremely proud of each one who crossed the stage this evening.”
For additional information on Darlington County’s Adult Education Program, please call 398-2856.