West Piedmont Regional Adult Education Blog

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.

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