West Piedmont Regional Adult Education Blog

Franklin County Adult Education Commencement

Adult Education graduates (adult high school and GED program) from Franklin County were recognized on June 10 in the Franklin County High School Auditorium.  

Mr. Ronald Coleman, retired adult educator from Franklin County Adult Education, spoke to the graduates about choosing to view this evening as a crossroads in life. Where do you go from here? He challenged each one to keep looking toward the future. Jobs and lifestyles of the 1970’s, funded by furniture, textiles, and tobacco industries, have disappeared. Each must take the initiative to make things happen in his/her life. Each one can choose to be in front of the change that is coming - or else be behind it. He encouraged each new grad to use this ceremony as a stepping stone to get in front of that change and to be an active part in the new Franklin County.

McKenna Hamrick, daughter of Debbie Hamrick, director of Franklin County’s adult education program, delighted the audience with her version of The Star Spangled Banner.

Laurie Greer, adult education instructor, presented academic awards in the GED test content areas. Jerry Wayne Dalton won the award for perserverance.

Jerry Dalton received award for perserverance

Heather Hogan took top honors in Language Arts, Writing. Christina LeBlanc and Giana Romero tied for the highest score in social studies. Giana Romero also tied for highest score in math with Shana Messer. Giana took highest score in science as well, for a total of 3 highest score awards. Shana Messer also took highest score in language arts, reading, earning her the top award for highest total score.

Congratulations Class of 2010!

Henry County GED Celebration

Henry County adult ed graduates celebrated the completion of their high school equivalencies by donning caps and gowns and marching to Pomp and Circumstance on June 7, 2010. A total of 89 students completed their high school equivalencies in the 2009-2010 school year, with 8 receiving adult high school diplomas or national external diplomas, 10 ISAEP graudates, and the remainder have received GED certificates.

Leola Nadine Ellis spoke for her fellow graduates, thanking Mr. Jackson and the Henry County School Board, and teachers for “allowing us to come back to school.” Ms. Ellis attended classes for 4 years before receiving her high school ciploma from Bassett High School.

Dr. Jackson, Superintendent of Henry County Public Schools, delivered the commencement address on the theme of not being afraid to fail. He stressed that it’s not failure we should worry about, but how we deal with it. He mentioned that Babe Ruth, Einstein, and Beethoven were all failures at one thing or another. He shared his philosophy that “failure is just an opportunity to succeed.” Awesome words. Don’t be afraid to fail; but use that failure as the opportunity to succeed in a different capacity. In closing, Dr. Jackson commended the Henry County Adult Education Graduating Class of 2010 on chosing success over failure. He stressed that the graduates were success stories for themselves, but they were also role models for future generations.

Diplomas for high school grads, and local certificates acknowledging the receipt of GED credentials were presented to joyous shouts, fists pumping, hugs, and tears. Lynn Fitzgibbons, Director of Henry County Public School Adult Education, closed the ceremony by thanking the families of all the grads for their continued support of the graduates as they strove to reach the stage. She also reminded the graduates that their education has not ended, but will go on for a lifetime.

Marching out of the auditorium, many Class of 2010 faces were covered with tears…as were the faces of many in the audience.

ABE/GED Summer School Schedules

Summer School Schedules

Franklin County

Days                                                              Time                     Instructor

GED Skills Class

Tuesdays & Thursdays (mornings)                8:30 – 11:30         D. Minor

Mondays & Wednesdays (days)                    12:30 – 2:30         D. Miller

Tuesdays & Thursdays (days)                        3:00 – 5:00           L. Greer

Tuesdays & Thursdays (evenings)                 5:30 – 8:30           L. Greer

Math Class

Mondays & Fridays (mornings)                      8:30 – 11:30         L. Greer

Tuesdays & Thursdays (days)                        12:30 – 2:30         L. Greer

Mondays & Wednesdays (evenings)              5:30 – 8:30           D. Minor

Test Prep Class                                         

Wednesdays & Fridays (mornings)                8:30 – 11:30         D. Miller

Thursdays & Fridays (days)                           12:30 – 2:30         Minor/Miller

Mondays & Wednesdays (days)                    3:00 – 5:00           D. Minor

Thursdays (evenings)                                     5:30 – 8:30           D. Miller

Call 540-483-0179 for more information.

Henry County

Henry County Adult Education will be relocating the week of June 21 to:

Center for Community Learning
340 Ridgedale Drive
Martinsville, VA 24112

Call 276-632-6017 for class schedules both before and after June 21.

Martinsville (Summer Semester: June 1 – July 13)

ABE Math                               Monday & Wednesday           9:00 – 11:00 AM

GED Math                               Monday & Wednesday           12:00 – 2:00 PM

ABE Reading                          Tuesday & Thursday              9:00 – 11:00 AM

GED Reading                         Tuesday & Thursday              12:00 – 2:00 PM

Call 276-403-5466 for more information.

Patrick County

Spring Semester Ends:      June 2

First Summer Break:           June 7 – June 18

Summer Semester:             June 21 – July 2

Second Summer Break:     July 5 – July 16

Summer Session:                July 19 – July 30

Third Summer Break:          August 2 – August 6

Fall Semester Begins:        August 11

Call 276-694-6542 for class schedule and/or more information.

Pittsylvania County

Spring Semester Ends:  June 10 (evening classes end May 27)

Summer School:  June 28 - July 27

Mon                 8:30AM – 1:30 PM (Adult Learning Center only)

Tues                8:30AM – 1:30 PM (Adult Learning Center only)

Weds               8:30AM – 1:30 PM (Adult Learning Center only)

Fall Semester Begins:  August 12

Call 434-432-7243 or 434-432-9417 for more information.

Martinsville City Public Schools GED Graduation Ceremony

Martinsville City Public Schools held its first Adult Education Commencement Exercies on Tuesday, June 1 at Martinsville High School auditorium. Stacey Wright, Program Manager for West Piedmont Regional Adult Education, presided over the commencement ceremony.

City Councilman, Mark C. Stroud, Sr. shared his story with the 2010 graduates. He was elected to Martinsville City Council 2 years ago, was Patrick Henry Community College’s male student of the year in 1995, and in 2010 was one of 5 who received the Project Lifesaver award. And in 1980, he received his GED certificate. Councilman Stroud applauded the graduates and their families for the commitment they made to their education and future. He encouraged them to continue learning and growing so they can look back on their lives and see their accomplishments and be proud.

Justin Hatfield, 2010 graduate, asked his classmates to thank their teachers. He shared with the audience that he’d moved to Martinsville and joined GED classes there after his father was killed in Afghanistan. Justin is now a student at PHCC with plans to suceed in whatever he does in life.

Todd Barnes, former Director of Adult Education for Martinsville City Schools, delivered the keynote address. Mr. Barnes’ sense of humor encouraged the audience to laugh while they absorbed his message with rules for life:  1)  It’s not how you start, but how you finish; 2) Don’t do anything you’ll look back and wonder why you did it; 3) Mrs. Grogan’s law (never assume someone knows what they’re doing just because they wear a suit or hold a high position); 4) if you’re going to fail, fail big; 5) Pappa’s law (nobody else is paying as much attention to your failures as you are, so build a bridge to get over it and get on with life.

Graduates received certificates, flip their tassels, and marched out of the auditorium with heads held high, wide smiles, and teary eyes. Their proud families joined them for a reception following the ceremony.

Race to GED Scholarship Golf Tournament Winners

First Place: Gary Stoneman, David Fox, R.E. Turner, Marty Anderson Pictured with West Piedmont Reg. Program Manager,Stacey Wright (far left), and Tournament Coordinator John Kovack (far right)

Congrats to the team of Gary Stoneman, David Fox, R.E. Turner, and Marty Anderson for taking the top prize at the Race to GED Scholarship Golf Tournament at Forest Park Country Club on April 16, 2010. These 4 players will split the top prize of $400 cash!

2nd Place: Terry Plaster, Travis Plaster, Leigh Ann Hazelwood (Patrick Coordinator), Mike Hazelwood. Not pictured: Chris Worley. Pictured with Stacey Wright, WPRAE Program Manager, and John Kovack Tournament Coordinator.

3rd Place team pictured with Stacey Wright, Kathy Kovack, Brent Talmadge, Gideon Martin, and John Kovack

Race to GED Scholarship Golf Tournament Huge Success

Race to GED Scholarship Golf Tournament Huge Success

The 2^nd annual Race to GED Scholarship Golf Tournament, held at Forest Park Country Club on April 16, was a huge success according to tournament coordinator, John Kovack.  Proceeds from the tournament will provide scholarships to pay for nearly 300 individual GED tests over the next year.

“A total of 44 players participated in this event and our sponsorship list grew considerably over our first year’s tournament,” Kovack said. “While no one won the car sponsored by GR Chevrolet, Inc. of Stanleytown, the prospect of winning a car brought in more players than we had last year. And a couple of people came within 3-4 feet of driving home in a new Malibu.”

Franklin County Adult Education Center was also a platinum level sponsor of this year’s tournament along with GR Chevrolet.

Gold level sponsors were Bird’s Tree Service (Patrick Springs), Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce (Martinsville), and National College (Danville). Silver level sponsors included Dutch Inn (Collinsville), Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing, Pamela C. Cobler (Martinsville), Bobby and Linda Martin (Martinsville), El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant (Collinsville), Adult Learning Center Staff (Henry County), Stanleytown Ruritan Club (Stanleytown), and Stacey Wright (Boone’s Mill). Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar (Martinsville) was a bronze sponsor.

Stacey Wright, program manager for West Piedmont Regional Adult Education, the host of Race to GED Scholarship Golf Tournament commented, “Many thanks go out to all of the participants in this year’s tournament and a special thanks to all of our sponsors. Our goal is to realize a booming economy in the West Piedmont Region by creating an educated workforce that will attract new industry to our area. Providing GED test scholarships will remove a barrier for many of our citizens who lack funds to pay for this first step in developing skills that will make them competitive for employment. We are thrilled with the results of our tournament and the resulting opportunities for West Piedmont adults.”

Golf Tournament Sponsors

Many thanks go to the terrific sponsors of our 2nd Annual Race to GED Scholarship Golf Tournament:

Platinum Sponsors:  GR Chevrolet (Stanleytown) and Franklin County Adult Education (Rocky Mount)

Gold Sponsors:  Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce (Martinsville) and National College (Danville)

Silver Sponsors:  Bird’s Tree Service (Patrick Springs), Dutch Inn (Collinsville), El Ranchito (Collinsville), West Piedmont Workforce Investment Board (Martinsville), Stacey Wright (Rocky Mount)

Bronze Sponsors:  Applebee’s Grill and Bar (Martinsville)

The sponsors have generously agreed to sponsor our cause. Please support them with your business!

Race to GED Scholarship Golf News

There is still time to register for our 2nd Annual Race to GED Scholarship Golf Tournament at Forest Park Country Club in Martinsville on Friday, April 16 at 1PM. The registration fee is $45 for individuals and $160 per foursome.

GR Chevrolet of Stanleytown is sponsoring 3 (not one, but 3) hole-in-one prizes: 1)  A new car! 2) A set of golf clubs! and 3) A wonderful vacation!

The first place team will split a cash prize of $400 cash. Second and third place teams will also receive prizes. There are also closest to pin and other prizes.

Terrific prizes, great company, lots of fun - all while helping raise money to provide GED testing scholarships for area adults who cannot afford the test fees. Don’t miss out on the fun.  We hope to see you on April 16th!

Spring Break

This winter’s snowy weather has caused some area school systems to use some of spring break as make-up days. Spring break for West Piedmont’s adult education programs are as follows:

Franklin County Adult Ed - closed the week of April 5 (will re-open Monday, April 12)

Henry County Adult Ed - closed Friday, April 2, Monday, April 5 & Tuesday, April 6 (will re-open Wednesday, April 7)

Martinsville City Adult Ed -

Patrick County Adult Ed - closed Friday, April 2 and Monday, April 5 (will re-open Tuesday, April 6)

Pittsylvania County Adult Ed - closed week of April 5 (will re-open Monday, April 12)

West Piedmont Regional Adult Education Office - closed week of April 5 (will re-open Monday, April 12)

Enjoy your spring break!

Race to GED Scholarship Golf Tournament

It’s a beautiful 60 degrees outside today which makes us all develop spring fever and the desire to go outside. I wanted to remind you of a wonderful spring event that will take place Friday, April 16, at 1PM at the Forest Park Country Club in Martinsville. That’s our Race to GED Scholarship Golf Tournament. The cost to play is a low $45 per person (much less than most charity tournaments). This low cost includes golf, cart, lunch, gift bag, and a chance to win some fabulous prizes. In fact the first place team wins $400 cash!

All proceeds go to providing GED test scholarships for area adults who need a GED credential. Our philosophy at West Piedmont Regional Adult Education is that no area adult should miss getting a GED credential because he/she cannot afford the test fee.

Why don’t you join us on April 16?

Would you like to be a sponsor?

For more information on playing or on becoming a sponsor, please contact John Kovack at 1-540-484-1324 or by emailing him at john.kovack@frco.k12.va.us.