Deanna Dortch celebrates her graduation with her daughter.
56 Milwaukee area residents are celebrating a big accomplishment… going back to school to earn their high school diploma. The adult students were honored at graduation ceremonies for successfully completing coursework and testing with the Social Development Commission GED/HSED program.
Tia Gray told her fellow graduates she knows they had struggled like her with taking tests but credited the support of program staff as well as family and friends for helping her get through. She said she plans to go on to college and get a degree in social work. Fellow graduate Deanna Dortch echoed her gratitude and completed her address at the graduation by saying “I’m ready for success!” sparking applause from other graduates.
Quinton Cotton, a faculty member at Marquette University, gave the keynote address at the graduation. He noted that he grew up like many of the students in a challenging environment but was able to persevere to reach success. He added he knows of the stresses and obstacles the students faced in reaching their goals. The Milwaukee native urged the graduates “that is not just a piece of paper you are getting today. It is a recognition of a series of activities you decided to make. I salute you.”
The GED/HSED program is part of SDC’s Education and Training Program done in partnership with MATC.
For more information on the SDC GED program, call 414- 906-2834.
Cristobal Castellan shows his family his certifi cate for successfully completing the GED/HSED coursework and testing.