Pictured front row (l to r): Mandy Messer, Stephanie Lopez, Betty Simpson, Janelynn Beekman, Kyle Snider, Teyanna Taylor, Brandonn Arnold, and Morgan Michael. Second row (l to r): Jackie Schooler, Connor Wagner, Lance Gookenbarger, Chris Brown, Kenneth Cathers, India Royal and Jocelyn Timson. Third row (l to r): Michael Blanchard, Tara Knisley, Miracle Blount, Abigail Garrett and Esmeralda Hernandez. Back row (l to r): Richard Campbell, Keith Brush, Ashley Parker, Evelyn Dement-Thomas, and Ashley Elam.
Not pictured: Nicole Graham, Amy Haddix, Levi Harris, Mark Henderson, Jeffery McFadden, Chloe Meyer, Laura Morgan, Austin Randolph, Callie Richardson, Desiree Sams, Mireille Weese, Ray Willett, and Patricia Williams.
Submitted photo
Area residents who passed the General Education Development (GED) test or completed the Adult High School Workforce Diploma Program were honored recently at the 34th-annual Adult Opportunity Center’s Recognition celebration at Southern State Community College’s Central Campus in Hillsboro.
For the 2022-23 academic year, the Adult Opportunity Center served 165 students. Of those students, 141 enrolled in one of the AOC classes and almost 50 percent improved at least one academic level, according to a news release.
The ceremony began with a welcome, provided by Southern State President Dr. Nicole Roades. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by 2023 Graduate Betty Lou Simpson, of Clermont County. Special speakers included 2023 Graduates Ashley Parker, of Clermont County, and Tara Knisley, of Highland County.
Special awards were presented to the following:
– Any student who successfully passed the GED received a Trustee Scholarship for a three-credit hour SSCC college class.
– The student from each county achieving the highest total GED score received the Trustee Honor Scholarship. Awardees were Levi Harris of Brown County, Connor Wagner of Clermont County, Michael Blanchard of Clinton County, Austin Randolph of Fayette County, and Kyle Snider of Highland County.
“Friends of Aspire” awards were presented to the Clinton County Resource Center and Laurel Oaks Career Campus for outstanding partnerships with the Adult Opportunity Center.
Both the Aspire program, directed by Susan Armstrong of the Adult Opportunity Center, and the 22+ program, coordinated by Anya Brennan of Graduation Alliance, provide adult education opportunities through Southern State Community College. All books and materials are provided, and a choice of morning or evening classes focusing on adult literacy, GED preparation, college refresher courses, workforce education, and basic reading, writing and math skill improvement are available.
Southern State’s Aspire and Graduation Alliance programs are state and federally grant funded and offered free of charge to participants. For more information about the Aspire program, please visit www.sscc.edu/specialized/aoc.shtml. For more information about the Graduation Alliance program, please visit www.sscc.edu/specialized/22plus.shtml.
To speak to someone directly, call Southern State’s Adult Opportunity Center at 1-800-628-7722, ext. 2687. Anyone wishing to enroll in classes should call the number listed above. A new class will be starting in July 2023.
