HERKIMER – Twenty-three local adults were recently recognized for earning their diplomas through the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Adult Education Literacy Program this school year.
During the ceremony, Herkimer BOCES District Superintendent told the graduates that their hard work, tenacity and belief in themselves has paid off.
“You’ve created a better future for yourself and your families by receiving your diplomas tonight,” Sherwood said.
The Herkimer BOCES Adult Literacy Graduate Recognition Program took place on Thursday, June 16, at the Herkimer BOCES William E. Busacker Complex in Herkimer. The Herkimer BOCES adult students graduated either by taking the National External Diploma Program (NEDP) or the high school equivalency test known as the Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC).
New York state has now brought back the GED test in place of TASC, and local adults can start preparing for the test now through Herkimer BOCES while waiting for the state to approve a GED testing site in the region.
During the Graduate Recognition Program, Sherwood welcomed guests, spoke to graduates and presented certificates to the graduates who attended.
Graduates Samantha Dennis and Malinda Yoder gave speeches about the challenges they overcame, the effort they put into earning their diplomas and the support they received along the way.
Herkimer BOCES Director of Adult, Early Childhood and Outreach Education Mary Kline introduced the adult education instructors, gave the closing remarks and read a poem about success.
Pianist Ruth Hedeen performed the processional and recessional. There was a reception for graduates and their families following the ceremony.
View more photos from the Adult Literacy Program Graduate Recognition Program on our Facebook page or go directly to the post by clicking here.
The following is a list of the Herkimer BOCES 2021-22 school year Adult Literacy Program graduates:
National External Diploma graduates:
- Ashley Carpenter
- Bryant Jackson
- Malinda Yoder
- Miriam Yoder
High school equivalency graduates:
- Bradlee Barscz
- Noah Brault
- Adam Crosier
- Samantha Dennis
- Brandon Dodge
- Olivia Getman
- Matthew Giacobbe
- Melissa Harvey
- Tara Kauchis
- Donald Keeler
- Shane O’Brien
- Emilee Ray
- Jessica Sims
- Zachary Stowell
- Silas Sutton
- John Talbot
- Brently Tippy
- Taylor White
- Zerion Wynder
Herkimer BOCES has free services available to help local adults prepare for the GED and NEDP.
The classes are small, instruction is individualized and the timing is based on the adult students’ individual schedules.
If interested in preparing for the GED, the first step is to call Herkimer BOCES at 315-867-2085 or 315-867-2079 to schedule an initial meeting and screening at the Herkimer BOCES Remington Educational Complex at 77 E. North St. in Ilion.
For the ongoing studies, Herkimer BOCES also offers GED preparation services at the Dolgeville-Manheim Public Library in Dolgeville, the Margaret Reaney Memorial Library in St. Johnsville and the Little Falls Public Library in Little Falls.