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!

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 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!

Pittsylvania County FREE GED Tests

These tests are offered to Pittsylvania County, Virginia adults who are over the age of 18 who are not enrolled in public school. All five subjects offered this day (Mathematics and Language Arts, Writing, Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts, Reading).  Advanced in-person registration is required and adults must present valid government-issued photo ID at time of registration to guarantee a seat for the test. Call Michelle Scarce at 434-432-9416 to schedule and appointment to register for the test.

Pittsylvania County Free GED Tests

These tests are offered to Pittsylvania County, Virginia adults who are over the age of 18 who are not enrolled in public school. Subjects offered this day are Science, Social Studies, and Language Arts, Reading. Other subjects offered other days. Advanced in-person registration is required and adults must present valid government-issued photo ID at time of registration to guarantee a seat for the test. Call Michelle Scarce at 434-432-9416 to schedule and appointment to register for the test.

Pittsylvania County FREE GED Tests

These tests are offered to Pittsylvania County, Virginia adults who are over the age of 18 who are not enrolled in public school. Subjects offered this day are Mathematics and Language Arts, Writing. Other subjects offered other days. Advanced in-person registration is required and adults must present valid government-issued photo ID at time of registration to guarantee a seat for the test. Call Michelle Scarce at 434-432-9416 to schedule and appointment to register for the test.

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.

Save the Date!

The Race to GED Scholarship Golf Tournament is scheduled for Friday, April 16, 2010, at Forest Park Country Club in Martinsville. Starting time is 1:00 PM. Last year’s event (our first) was terrific. We had great prizes, great food, and lots of fun. Even better, we raised enough money to help pay for nearly 90 GED tests! We hope you will join us for our second annual tournament. If you want to participate, call John Kovack at 1-540-484-1324.

FREE GED Tests

FREE GED tests are being held in the West Piedmont region in November.

Test dates are:

Henry County - (276-632-6017) - Monday & Tuesday, November 2 & 3, starting at 9:00AM

Pittsylvania County - (434-432-9416) Wednesday & Thursday, November 4 & 5, starting at 3:00PM

Franklin County - (540-483-0179) Saturday, November 7, starting at 8:30AM

Patrick County - (276-694-6542) Monday & Tuesday, November 16 & 17, starting at 9AM

Martinsville City - (276-403-5466) Tuesday & Wednesday, November 17 & 18, starting at 3:00PM

Advance registration is required. Contact the adult ed center closest to you to schedule an appointment to register. Must be 18 years of age or older, not enrolled in public school, and must have 2 forms of official ID (one must be government issued photo ID, such as driver’s license, state ID card, or passport).

GED and Lifelong Learning Week Events

GED Week events are happening all over the West Piedmont Adult Education region. Check them out below. Note that you can win FREE tickets to the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 25. You just have to be 18 or older and present at the event to win the tickets.