PJC Adult Education holds recognition ceremony

Published or Revised June 13, 2019

The Paris Junior College Adult Education program held a graduation ceremony for all those successfully achieving their Certificates of High School Equivalency during the preceding 12 months on Tuesday, May 14, 2019. Speaker for the ceremony was Maddie Ellsworth, who was home schooled and received her GED certificate on May 16, 2016. A current PJC student, she was one of five nominated for the Distinguished Service Award. Winner of the highest honor a PJC student may achieve will be announced during Friday’s commencement ceremony. Ellsworth admitted that she “Googled” what to say in a graduation speech, but only found advice for those who were 21 years old. “Oh shoot,” she said, “I’m not even 21 yet. How am I supposed to give advice and encourage people who may be older and have more life experience than me?” She sought such advice at a local nursing home, asking residents what they would say to those who have just accomplished something great and are moving to the next stage of their lives. “The answers varied, but all carried a similar theme of the importance of finding what you love and doing it,” said Ellsworth. She also related the residents’ regrets in not pursuing their dreams more aggressively. Finally, she addressed the perceived stigma against those who have earned their GED. “My mother kept a wooden plaque containing a quote by Sir Walter Scott, the famous author of ‘Ivanhoe.’ It reads, ‘All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.” Ellsworth said. “This quote has been a staple of my life, and it is a reflection of everyone who has completed their GED. The true stereotype of GED graduates should be that they are dedicated and responsible because they took matters into their own hands and had a ‘chief hand in their own education.’” Next, Payton Foster received the $250 United Way Scholarship, awarded to a Lamar County resident with the highest GED scores participating in the PJC Adult Education Program, and who plans to attend PJC. Lamar County Literacy Council member DeWayne Stephens presented the scholarship. Paris Outreach Scholarships were presented by Career Navigator / Transition Specialist Maria Nava. She explained that the scholarships were made possible by a group of anonymous donors who want to help adult learners reach their goals. Christopher Hayes, Sean Lehenbauer, and Amy Beth Perry each received $500 and Payton Foster was awarded $750 in scholarships. Ashlee Bryan, Payton Foster and Sean Lehenbauer were also inducted into the National Adult Education Honor Society. Students must be nominated by an instructor and agree to be an adult education ambassador, encouraging others to improve their basic skills, take adult education classes and demonstrate a strong work ethic. Those receiving their Certificate of High School Equivalency in the past 12 months, by home town, included: Avery: Dylan Gott Bonham: Nicholas Hollingsworth Brookston: Payton Foster, Sean Lehenbauer, April Schumacher Clarksville: Bryan Dunn, Brandi Escandon, Keyanna Murphy Commerce: Judy Alvarez Como: Logan Oxford Cooper: Nevin Casey, Jessica Odell, Rebecca Roush Detroit: Cade Hines, Taiwa Kruse, Kathlene Unruh Emory: Stephanie Holder, Dylan Simmons Greenville: Mieshea Collins, Lindsey Cotton, Savannah Krantz, Bradley Williams Honey Grove: Brianne Cannon Leesburg: Makayla Goodson Paris: Jeffery Barnard, Elvira Emanuelsson, Marlen Flores, Kayla Freelen, Adalberto Garcia, Lola Gilder, Kyler Haagensen, Yorrie Harrell, Chris Hayes, Joshua Johnson, Elin Knutsson, Jason McKee, Bradlee Murray, Amy Beth Perry, Micah Piland, Cortlyn Polley, Shawna Pool, Autiumn Price, Olivia Ratliff, Brooklyn Rose, Christiaan VanGraan, Jaquan Washington, Zachary McAlpin Pickton: Alina Barth, Shad Griner Quinlan: Ashlee Bryan, Clayton Paul Reno: Benjamin Mercaldo Royce City: Seth Prince Saltillo: Rebekah Ridens Sherman: Morgan Kuszynski Sulphur Springs: Willie Black, III, Ragan Box, Madisyn Franks, Richard Hatfield, Jimmy Johnson, Andrew Latham, Gabriel Pollard Sumner: Clifford Bailey, Jr., Brooks Dennis, Devin Elmore, Leanna Harms, Ashleigh Lopez-Basinger, Jacqueline Wiebe West Tawakoni: Jason S. Lee Windom: James Green Wolfe City: Joseph Sandquist Wylie: Elaine Eriksen Yantis: Jessica Hanna