The St. John the Baptist Parish Adult Education Program recently celebrated their graduation, which was held recently at Garyville/ Mt. Airy Magnet School’s Auditorium.

Serving as guest speaker, Ann Harvey stressed to the students that a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. She acknowledged that their continued pursuit of their goals will reap many rewards; being patient with one’s self, realizing that picking yourself up when you stumble will serve to insure the completion of any goal in life. In life, we all stumble; it is the continued focus on your goals that guarantees success.

Harvey awarded each graduate a special coin to commemorate their special day and to symbolize their important accomplishment. For these students, earning their GED meant a fresh start, a second chance and another graduation picture added to the wall of the family’s home.

Those graduates meeting all the requirements set forth by the Louisiana State Department of Education’s Adult Education Program, along with all local St. John Parish guidelines are:

Uttra Arrechavala, De’anta D. Belvin, Brooke Billings, Timothy Blank, Sarah Block, Angel Bullock, Elva Butler, Casey Castaneda, Anishka Clark, Cass W. Hensley, Brenicia Howard, Mystafus Jackson, Tramaine Joseph, Sadie Louque, Telyameka Marshall, JaJeonatae Melancon, Aprell K. Narcisse, Ebony Sanders, Stephanie Sanderson, William Sevin and Deshonta Weber.

Teachers were recognized for their dedication and commitment to the students who received their diplomas. In attendance were teachers Rosemary Simon, Shelia Louper, Judy Fiffie, William McGee and Bessie Jeffery. Also in attendance were aides Cynthia Fortner, who also sang the National Anthem, and Yolanda Jasmine. Beverly Love, clerk for the Adult Education Program, was also in attendance.

Again this year, students who provided documentation verifying their continued pursuit of their education were eligible to apply for a scholarship award from Ann Harvey and Associates Realty.

Those sharing in the $1,000 scholarship offered again this year from Harvey and Associates Realty were Timothy Blank, who is enrolled in the apprenticeship program for welding with Associated Builders and Contractors; Sarah Block, who received a La GearUp scholarship to a pending college; Telyameka Marshall, who is currently enrolled at the Southeast Louisiana Technical College in the nursing program; and Stephanie Sanderson, who received a promotion with Total Choice Federal Credit Union after earning her GED.

Another student who had finalized and submitted her application on the morning of the graduation, Casey Castaneda, was awarded a scholarship courtesy of a local attorney Kerry Brown. Castaneda

is enrolled at Nicholls State University to undertake studies in dietetics.

Others participating in the program were Ray Bass,commander of the LaPlace chapter of the VFW; Rance Scott Jr., who performed

an inspiring solo, and Rev. Herman Clayton Jr., who offered the

invocation and benediction for the event.