By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
On May 17, 18 members of the 2012 Eastern Aroostook Adult Education Class, donned their caps and gowns and marched into the Caribou Learning Center’s gymnasium to receive their high school or GED diplomas from Dan MacDonald, director of the CLC; and Frank McElwain, RSU 39 superintendent. Also on hand to congratulate the new graduates were Lois Brewer, assistant RSU 39 superintendent; and Cliff Rhome, member of the RSU 39 Board of Education.
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Eighteen members of the graduating Class of 2012 Eastern Aroostook Adult Education Community Education programs participated in a cap and gown graduation ceremony on May 17, at the RSU 39 Learning Center in Caribou. Graduates are in front, from left: Tenessa Zetterman, Kylene Bird, Linsey Pelletier, Michelle Grant, Linda Hewitt, Katilynn Bragg and Amanda Cote. Middle row: Andrew milliard, Robert Pelletier, Trevor Theriault and Justin Cote. In back are Travis Whitmore, Salvatore Viola, Zachery Corriveau, Cameron Spittle, Jonathan Fox, Thomas Pelkey and James Caron.
Sen. Troy Jackson, (D-Allagash) was guest speaker at the early evening graduation. Jackson said he was always excited to be asked to participate in this type of event, “it’s a perfect example of Aroostook County and their work ethics. Adult education programs need to be continued.”
“I am most proud to attend this graduation,” stated Jackson, “You (grads) have done what some said was highly unlikely, you have faced adversity but you prevailed in taking a most difficult trail — and you were burdened with being an adult.”
Speaking from the heart and engaging the attention of the 18 graduates (and the large number of friends and family present), Jackson shared some of his personal background with the grads stating, “My mother was 16 and a sophomore in high school when I was born. When I started school, I actually rode the school bus with my mother, as she had gone back to school — today she is a special education teacher for SAD 27 in Fort Kent.”
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| Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott Sen. Troy Jackson (D-Allagash) was the guest speaker at the recent Eastern Aroostook Adult and Community Education Annual Recognition and Graduation. |
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott Graduate Michelle Grant gives a carnation and a kiss to her son Zane for all the support he gave her as she worked to complete her schooling in order to achieve her high school diploma. |
“I thought riding the bus to school with your mother was just the way things were — and I didn’t like it anymore after she graduated,” he recalled. “In 1986 I graduated from Allagash High School and I didn’t know what I wanted to do — what I did know was that I didn’t want to go to school anymore.” Jackson continued by talking about leaving the County to work for a period of time in New Hampshire, then returning to work with his family in their woods operation — “the very same wood harvesting machines that I still work on when I’m not in Augusta.”
“When I was 31,” said Sen. Jackson, “I started college. If you focus on your goals your enthusiasm will get you through. ‘Returnin’ to learnin’ is one of the greatest things I’ve ever done. When I was back in school, I learned just as much about myself as I did about the subjects I was studying,” he added.
“Tonight proves you have an iron will and in the future I hope all of you will have a chance to speak at one of these graduations,” said Sen. Jackson.
Following Sen. Jackson’s remarks, a carnation ceremony was held, introduced by Karen Rockwell, CLC secretary, who congratulated the graduates adding, “I am at the front line here and I know how difficult it is to go back to school. Each of you have dealt with personal struggles and we think you are all special.”
The 18 marching graduates dispersed into the audience bestowing their carnation to the individual who they felt was their greatest supporter in their trek to continuing their education.
Graduate Amanda Cote, gave the student’s address, explaining how her philosophy of “having no regrets.”
“I used to dwell on all of the things I regretted — thinking what would life be if I had done things differently. But I decided that I wouldn’t change anything,” she said.
Cote stated that she realized that she needed to try a new path and directed her success to the Adult Learning Center — where everyone can be their self. “The teachers here have illustrated that. You’re lucky if you have one teacher that accepts you the way you are — here, we have a whole team.”
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| Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott Graduate Justin Cote was the recipient of the 2012 Director’s Award, presented by Dan MacDonald, director at the RSU 39 Learning Center. |
Receiving the 2012 Northern Maine Community College scholarship, presented by faculty member Gary Kaszas, was graduate Hope Gagnon. Justin Cote was the recipient of the 2012 Director’s Award presented by MacDonald
Earning recognition for achieving GED test with scores higher than 3,000 were John P. Gee, Jr., Colby D. Genest, Tyquan S. Hayes, Jordan Lay, Taylor Lay and Daniel Matias. The GED exam is compiled of five tests in which academic proficiency is scored. Those scoring higher than 3,000 are among the top 15 percent of testers nationally.
Marching graduates of the Caribou Adult Education Class of 2012 were Kylene Bird, Katilynn Bragg, James Caron, Zachery B. Corriveau, Amanda Cote, Justin Cote, Jonathan Fox, Michelle Grant and Linda Hewitt. Also Andrew W. Milliard, Thomas Rodney Pelkey, Robert J. Pelletier, Linsey Pelletier, Cameron Spittle, Trevor Theriault, Salvatore Viola, Travis Whitmore and Tenessa Zetterman.
