Pictured top row from left are Lara Harris, Whitney Westbrook, Miracle Watson, Latasha Smith and Mercedes Robertson. Middle row from left are Teresa Odom, Ann Owens, Austin Moye, Ashton Hines, Chris Johnson, Aderius Smith, Audrey Brockmeyer and Tameshia Baldwin. Front row from left are Sharanda Ford, Sheila Easterling, Matthew Crutchfield, Carlos Castro, Emily Brown, Amanda Blackwell and Lotoya Boggan. (Several graduates not pictured were unable to attend the graduation ceremony.)
The Coastal Alabama Community College Adult Education Program and Hope Place Family Resource Center held graduation exercises June 20, 2019, at the Woodfin Patterson Auditorium in Brewton. Graduates completed the High School Equivalency Diploma or the High School Diploma Option with several graduates also completing requirements for the Ready-to-Work program, ACT WorkKeys, and other Career Pathways certificates.
Pastor Faron Wilson delivered the invocation. Special guest, Michele Blackburn honored her father by presenting Jerry Garrett Memorial Scholarships to Latoya Boggan, Emily Brown, and Aderius Smith. Accompaniment was provided by Mary Ellen Byron, Adult Ed. Instructor. Student speakers for the cap and gown ceremony were Amanda Blackwell, Teresa Odom, and Mercedes Robertson. Special recognition was given to Carol Ellington, owner of WKNU radio station, and Joe Thomas, editor and publisher of the Tri-City Ledger, for diligently promoting Adult Education. Also, recognized was Sherry Hutto Cooper of Hope Place for her going above and beyond what is expected of a GED coordinator and recruiter. Hope Place hosted a reception after the ceremony for dignitaries, students, family, and friends.
Several graduates participated in the Hope Place Program. Students, ages 16-24, who meet federal guidelines are able to enroll in the Youth Workforce Advantage Program through Hope Place Family Resource Center. This project is a federally funded program from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act directed through the Southwest Alabama Partnership for Training and Employment. Hope Place also partners with the Brewton Career Center to provide extended services. Participants enrolled in this program continue to receive services after graduation while seeking employment, education opportunities, and other goals.
GED classes are free and have open enrollment at all CACC locations in Atmore, Brewton, and Flomaton. Adult Education offers services to everyone-not just students needing to earn a GED or high school diploma. For more information about the Adult Education program or other free classes, call Shirley Williams, Adult Ed. Secretary, 251-368-7633; or Cornelia Miller, Adult Ed. Director, 251-368-7658; or Susan Smith, Adult Ed. Teacher, 251-236-0818; or Mary Ellen Byron, Adult Ed. Teacher, 251-809-1505.
