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.