Events
Wake Tech Holds GED And Adult High School Graduation
RALEIGH, N.C. (May 7, 2012) - Nearly 350 students of all ages who never completed high school finally turned their tassels in celebration of a job well done. Wake Tech Community College held its spring graduation ceremony tonight for students receiving their GED or Adult High School diploma. The event took place in the gymnasium on Wake Tech’s main campus.
Among the student speakers was 21-year old Rasheeda McNealy, who dropped out of high school when she became pregnant at the age of 16. “My daughter was my inspiration,” McNealy said. “I wanted to set a good example for her by getting my high school equivalency diploma.”
Another graduate, Ryan Honeycutt shared that he has already completed a year of college and has a job in his field. “Thank you to everyone who made it possible,” he said. “It can only get better from here!”
Honeycutt and McNealy were among 334 students who received their GED. Another 10 students received their Adult High School diploma, designed for students who left high school with five credits or less to graduate.
Wake Tech Dean Monica Gemperlein encouraged graduates to continue pursuing their educational goals. “Take advantage of the opportunities Wake Tech has made available to you and always strive for excellence in whatever you decide to do.” Many graduates will go on to enroll at Wake Tech in the fall. Some will take advantage of the GED Link program, a 6-week college preparation course, which gives students college-readiness skills, such as financial aid assistance, and extra math and reading help.
Wake Tech has the largest GED/Adult High School program in the state. About 1,900 students are enrolled in the program - twice the number of students as five years ago. More than 800 students graduated this year - as many graduates as a large public school in Wake County. Graduation ceremonies are held each fall and spring. Graduates included migrant workers who completed their GED through the High School Equivalency Program (HEP), funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
