There’s more than one path to earning a high school diploma and 63 area residents found one of them at Yavapai College.
When life events prevent folks from earning a high school diploma the traditional way, graduating from high school, Arizona offers multiple alternatives. One of them is by enrolling in a YC program that helps students prepare for and pass the General Education Development (GED) exam. The 63 students who took that path and succeeded this year were feted at a High School Equivalency (HSE) graduation ceremony last month at the YC Prescott Campus.
Among the ceremony speakers was Nicole Kelsheimer, Arizona Department of Education Director of Program Operations and Accountability, who told the graduates the diploma they earned is equally as valuable as one earned by a high school graduate.
“You didn’t just get a GED. You demonstrated that you have the same knowledge and skills necessary to take the next steps in your education or career,” Kelsheimer said. “And never think for a moment that doors are closed to you because you took a different path. Every single opportunity that’s open to a traditional high school graduate is open to you, whether that be earning a college degree, taking steps toward your dream career, starting a business, or simply reveling in the feeling of accomplishment that you should have.”
Keynote speaker Garrett Hopper, an instructor for YC’s Adult Basic Education program, told the HSE diploma earners they should be incredibly proud of the achievement. “But remember this moment is not the end of your journey. It’s the beginning. You’ve proven that goals aren’t just dreams, they’re real and they’re reachable one step at a time.”
In her remarks, student speaker Leticia Sillas, said while it was tough as a single parent working multiple jobs, earning her HSE diploma has “opened so many doors, including better job opportunities and higher pay.” She said she currently is taking college classes at YC alongside her recent high school graduate daughter and aims for a career in behavioral health. “I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. To anyone thinking about going back, put all your energy into your dreams. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s too late.”
Serious health issues prevented Anna Kathryn Rose from finishing high school. Speaking to her fellow HSE graduates at the ceremony, she said she worried she would never catch up to her peers, but when her health improved, she signed up for GED prep classes, showed up and put in the work. “This diploma isn’t just a piece of paper. It’s a symbol of second chances, of strength and believing in ourselves when it was hard,” Anna said. “We’ve proven we can overcome. Now let’s take this momentum and keep building the future we deserve.”
For information about YC Adult Basic Education classes, including GED prep and English as a Second Language classes, visit yc.edu/ABE.
Yavapai College operates seven campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers over 100 degrees and certificates, four baccalaureate degrees, student and community services, and cultural events and activities. To learn more about YC, visit www.yc.edu.