West Piedmont Regional Adult Education Blog

Free English and Citizenship Classes

Do you or someone you know need English or citizenship classes? Franklin County Adult Education is offering these classes for FREE! To learn more, click on this link: free-english-and-citizenship-classes-fall-20102.

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.

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!

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.

Pittsylvania County GED Week March 1-5

Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors, in partnership with the Pittsylvania County Adult Education, has declared March 1-5, 2010, as Pittsylvania County GED Week. During GED Week, 100 free GED tests will be offered at the Pittsylvania County Career and Technical Center in Chatham specifically for Pittsylvania County residents.

These free tests are scheduled for Monday-Tuesday, March 1-2, and Thursday-Friday, March 4-5, beginning at 3:00 PM. A third test is scheduled for Saturday, March 6, beginning at 8:30 AM, for adults who cannot test during the week.

To be eligible for these free GED tests, Pittsylvania County adults must be 18 years of age or older and not enrolled in public school. Seating is limited for the free GED tests and first-time test takers will be given top priority for those seats.

Candidates must present a valid government-issued photo ID and register in person before 12:00 noon February 26 to reserve a seat. Appointments to register for the test may be made by calling Michelle Scarce at 434-432-9416.

New Year’s Resolutions

Wow! Here we are already into 2010! It seems as though time is really racing by, doesn’t it? Before you know it, you’ll be writing 2011 on your checks.

Have you started working towards your GED? Perhaps you have taken all five content tests, but need to score a few more points before you achieve your GED credential. Maybe you have been planning to go to class or to test again in one or more subjects, but you just haven’t gotten around to it yet.

Think about how quickly 2009 sped by. Why not make a resolution to finally work towards that GED credential? We are ready to help you prepare for and then take the test. There are day and evening classes in all of the five counties served by West Piedmont Regional Adult Education. Online classes are available for adults whose schedules do not allow them to participate in person. Tests are available in each locality every month - and we can even add extra testings to accommodate your personal schedule.

Don’t let 2010 fly by without completing this important goal. The economy is turning around. Having your GED certificate in hand will make you more competitive for that new job that is coming. Call us today and let us help you prepare for that job.