By Mark Meredith/TVCC Public Information
Nineteen students received GED certificates in graduation ceremonies held Thursday, Dec. 10, at Trinity Valley Community College. Dr. Jerry King, TVCC Vice President of Instruction, welcomed the candidates and guests to the auditorium in the Orval Pirtle Administration Building on the Athens campus and introduced Chris Hicks, Director of Adult Education.
Angelia Snow, Area Manager of East Texas Workforce Solutions, gave the commencement address, telling graduates, “You now possess the key to open doors that were previously locked…the key to the door to get that certain job or a better job – maybe that advancement you have been wanting. You now have the key to the door to further your education and training.”
Success stories featured graduates who have realized their dreams while studying for their GED. Tricia Turk is the owner of Infinity Studios, a commercial photography studio in Gun Barrel City and Whitney Hughes is TVCC’s Adult Education Coordinator for the Accelerate Texas Program.
The first-ever TVCC Excellence Award was presented to Instructor Austin Irigo, recognizing 21 years of service to adult education. Hicks said, “It is teachers who help us excel. We presented the award to Mr. Irigo in honor of his work with Adult Ed students. He is not only their instructor, but champions their goals and ambitions.”
TVCC President Dr. Glendon Forgey presented the President’s Scholarship Award to Stephanie Clark for scoring the highest grade on the GED test.
Those receiving certificates were Angela Adams, Ashlynn Allen, Jade Blurton, Terry Burrow, Ms. Clark, Jeffrey Duncan, Jorden Flippo, Tabitha Grasty, Ms. Hughes, Ezra King, Azzie Mathews, Tina Newton, Henri Nzouombo Tafre, Scott O’Sullivan, Kayla Ragland, Nicholas Richardson, Tristen Saunders, Haley Smallwood and Ms. Turk.