LA PLATA, Md. (Oct. 3, 2008)—Charles County Public Schools held its 29th annual Adult Education Program graduation on Thursday, Oct. 2, at Westlake High School. There were 192 student graduates in the 2007-08 program and the following students attended the ceremony:
Diplomas were presented to the following General Educational Development (GED) program students: Orlando Almond, James L. Barnes II, Keith Barnes, Chessica Marie Contee, Robert M. Elder III, April Ferguson, Alexis Fjellheim, James G. Fletcher III, Jennifer Fox, Jeremiah D. Gant, Kanica King, Eryn Brooke Kyser, Faith DeLora Lewis, Andrea Long, Edward Lopez Jr., Tabetha McClelland, Meagan McNair, Ashley Manzo, Brandon Manzo, Richard Pettit, Matthew Reed, Christine Rivera, Cornella Robinson, Joseph M. Smith, Victoria Shaunta Taylor, Gary Wayne Umling, Keegan Michael Vinston and Gregory M. Windsor.
Diplomas were presented to the following External Diploma Program students: Willimena Belinda Ancar, Denise Benbow, Cynthia Lorraine Berry, Patricia Ann Body, Kenneth Jerome Clark, Ruth Ann Cline, Ruth Mansion Fowler, Brian Anthony Gilbert, Patricia Ann Joy, James Theodore Lord, Rosalee Lila Mann, Becky Leona Mays, Miguel Angel Nieves, Mary Christine Pinkney, Patrick Thomas Sharpe, Ruth Shekleton, Wendy Alohalani Short, John Patrick Solon, Angela Maria Stafford and Ashley Michelle Younger.
Kenneth Clark, GED graduate, and Keith Barnes, External Diploma graduate, were the graduate speakers for the ceremony. The Charles County Board of Education, Deputy Superintendent of Schools Ronald G. Cunningham, as well as other CCPS administrators and members of the Charles County Commissioners, presented diplomas to students.
The General Educational Development (GED) program offers adult basic education classes, English as a second language classes, GED preparation classes and a Maryland high school diploma through GED testing.
The External Diploma Program (EDP) is for adults 18 and older who have acquired high school level skills through life experiences. These adults can earn a Maryland high school diploma through work done at home and through evaluation appointments.
During the 2007-08 school year, 1,336 students participated in the adult education program by taking GED, English as a second language, family literacy and External Diploma Program classes. The program is supported by local funding, grant funds from Maryland Literacy Works and the U.S. Department of Education.
Source: The Charles County public school system