Jackson County

Pictured above from left to right (front row) Elizabeth Farrell, Susan Stalnaker, Christina Schnell, Aerieal Pauley, Stephanie McCormick, Hannah Mick, Chareesa Stark, Ashley Eltringham, Heidi Myers. (second row) Thelma Carr, Adult Education Coordinator, Blair Rice, Richard Parsons, Phillip Pauley, Joseph Kent, Donald Springsteadah, Clyde ‘Scott’ Elkins, Kristen Harris, Terry Adkins, Carla Mullins, Instructor, and Bill Lutz, Instructor.

GRADS HONORED IN ADULT EDUCATION CEREMONY

     Seventeen of the forty-nine 2005-06 Jackson County GED graduates were recently recognized in a ceremony held at the Ravenswood High School auditorium on Saturday, June 3, 2006, at 6:00 p.m.

     The ceremony began with a welcoming note from Ronald Ray, Superintendent. He had the audience stand while the participants filed into the auditorium to the traditional graduation march. The guests (family, friends, and staff) were there to celebrate this important accomplishment. A presentation of colors by the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 43 was held.

HIGHLIGHTS:

•   17 graduates participated in the    recognition 2006 ceremony

•   49 individuals received their GED during the 2005-06 term

•   Presentation of colors by the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 43

•   Star Spangled Banner sang by Sam Cogar

•   Invocation by Rev. Chris Skeens

•   Inspirational song by Susan Skeens

•   Keynote speaker, Mick Price

•   Ceremony lead and presentation of graduates by Ronald Ray, Superintendent, and Blaine Hess, Director of High Schools and Vocational Education

•   A reception was held at Henry J. Kaiser Elementary School after commencement.

•   You can view more graduation photos and information about the Adult Basic Education program online @ boe.jack.k12.wv.us/adultbasiced.htm

*All the special guests, speakers, and vocalist that participated in the ceremony.

Drawings were held at the reception for gifts donated by the following businesses:

*Down on the Farm

*Ripley – Family Dollar

*Pete’s Hotdogs

*Gino’s of Ripley

*Long John Silvers

*Wal-Mart

*Cozumel’s

*John’s Lube

*Cook Floral

*Evergreen Floral

*Fratello’s

*WV State Parks and Recreation with the WV Job Service

Sam Cogar sang the Star Spangled Banner and led the pledge of allegiance. Rev. Chris Skeens, pastor of the Ravenswood Freewill Baptist church, delivered the invocation. His lovely wife, Susan Skeens, followed with a beautiful vocal presentation of an inspirational song. RFBC online @ webpages.charter.net/rfwbc

  Blaine Hess, Director of High Schools and Vocational Education, greeted the graduates, guests, recognized the staff, and honored guests who attended. Among these were, Thelma Carr, Adult Education Coordinator, Debbie Stalnaker, Vocational and Adult Education Secretary, Carla Mullins, ABE Instructor, Bill Lutz, ABE Instructor, Lisa Moles, ABE/Computer Literacy Instructor, Audrey Miller, Chief GED Examiner, Janet Murray, Director of Federal Programs/Even Start, and Deborah Kimbler, State GED Test Administrator, WVDE.

     Mr. Ray then introduced Mick Price, Educator and Coach, as the guest speaker. Coach Price delighted the crowd with his words of motivation, challenge, inspiration, and triumph. He shared the delight of achieving the long awaited State Basketball championship this year and compared it with the graduates’ accomplishments of obtaining their high school diploma.   He not only reflected on the qualities that it takes to obtain a goal, but also encouraged the graduates to continue and accomplish more.

          This motivational speech was followed by some heartfelt words from Thelma Carr, Adult Education Coordinator. Mrs.

Carr teaches the day classes for the ABE program and had worked with most of the graduates present. She was sincere in her words of reflection of the stories, struggles, and triumphs of the students during this year. The pride she felt was reflected in the faces of the graduates as she spoke.

     The highlight of the evening of course was to see each graduate walk across the stage as Mr. Hess called their name. After the guests on the stage greeted them, Mr. Ray presented each graduate with a certificate of recognition. The audience was full of applause from the family and friends present. Mrs. Carr embraced the students as they left the stage and then presented the GED graduates of 2006 to the audience as they celebrated with the tradition of the tossing of the caps and exited to the commencement march.

    A photo session was held outside for family and friends and then the group moved on to the reception at Henry J. Kaiser Elementary School.

   Mrs. Carr and the Jackson County Adult Basic Education staff would like to extend special thanks to the following:

*Ravenswood High School for the use of their facility

*Henry J. Kaiser Elementary School for the use of their facility

*Cook Floral for the floral decorations

*Cozy Cupboard for preparing the refreshments

*Big R Supermarket for donating the cake

*Wood County Adult Education Program for the use of the graduation caps and gowns

*Mr. John Gorrell, Director of the Jackson County Center of WVU-P, for setting up an information table for the graduates

*Barbara Carr, Deanna Lutz, and Marissa Hatfield for volunteering their time to help with the reception

*The ABE staff and the Jackson County Schools administration for their assistance in the ceremony and their support during the year

Following is a list of 2005-06 Graduates who were unable to attend the ceremony:

Angelique Allaire
David Bias, Jr.
Jason Blankenship
Michael Booth
Kayla Bronz
James Conrad
Dennie Currey
Brandon Dawson
Tara Garrett
Crystal Gentry
Amanda Harrison
Bryan Hensley
William Huft
Danielle Lupardus
Anna McKinley
James Meadows
Chris Mills
Timothy Moore
Richard Murphy
Elizabeth Rhodes
Melvin Rhodes
William Riley
Rachel Seabolt
Travis Shaffer
Bethal Smith
Karen Staats
Melissa Staats
Clint Thomas
Josuha Thompson
Megan Thompson
Earlene Vance
Johnathan Warder