By Lisa Wilcox
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — It was a special evening for members of the Eastern Aroostook Adult & Community Education program as they donned maroon caps and gowns to receive their GEDs and high school diplomas at the Caribou Learning Center on May 16.
Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox
Thirteen members of the graduating class of RSU 39’s Adult Education program marched to receive their diplomas during the ceremony held at the Caribou Learning Center on May 16. Those marching included, from left, front row, Donna Rossignol, Hilda Martinez, Griselda Gutierrez, Natalie Lopez, Tina Trecartin, Nicholas Avery, Cameron McEwen and Vicky Leclerc; back row, Nicholas Gumprecht, Timothy Heary, Kohl Strong and Matthew Peterson. Absent from the photo is Cote Bryant.
The ceremony began with a welcome from Center Director Dan MacDonald. After 13 members of the graduating class who chose to march entered the gym, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, led by graduate Tina Trecartin.
Barbara Hayslett of U.S. Congressman Michael Michaud’s office was the guest speaker, congratulating the graduates on their hard work and a job well done.
Tears of joy flowed freely as the graduates delivered carnations to friends and family members in gratitude for the support given during the journey to graduation.
Student speaker Timothy Heary offered a light-hearted account of his scholastic experience, explaining that limited career choices dictated his need to advance his education after having dropped out of high school several years before.
For scoring 3,000 or higher on their GED test, Lyn Michaud presented graduates Matthew Peterson and Kohl Strong with GED 3000 awards. Michaud also presented graduates Nicholas Gumprecht and Jacob Fitzgerald with WorkReady Credentials for completing the program that is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to effectively gain employment.
An NMCC scholarship was awarded to graduate Charlien “Charlie” Burson by Gary Kaszas, and MacDonald gave his Director’s Award to graduate Donna L. Rossignol.
RSU 39 Superintendent Frank McElwain declared the students officially graduated and helped MacDonald hand out diplomas with Lois Brewer, RSU 39 assistant
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| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox GED recipient Kohl Strong celebrated with his wife, Stephanie, and baby, Kaiden, after the RSU 39 Adult Education graduation ceremony at the Caribou Learning Center on May 16. |
superintendent of curriculum and instruction, and Clifford Rhome, chairman of the RSU 39 School Board.
“I wish you continued success personally, educationally and professionally,” MacDonald advised the graduates. “Always remember that there are no real limitations on your potential, only those you place on yourself. Education is the key to unlocking that potential.”
After the ceremony, a small reception with cake and punch was held at the Learning Center. Carla Picard, an English as a second language instructor for the RSU, joined two of her former students at the celebration, sharing their stories of perseverance over a language barrier and attending different schools across the country during the school year in order to receive their diplomas on that day.
Picard worked with GED recipient Griselda Gutierrez throughout her school career. Guitierrez, 23, had been coming to northern Maine for several years, first with her migrant worker parents, then with her own husband and two children. According to Picard, Gutierrez was graduating from the adult education program during the same year that her younger brother, David, was graduating from Caribou High School.
Another student of Picard’s through the Aroostook County Action Program, Hilda Martinez received her high school diploma. She had also been coming to Aroostook County for several years as part of a migrant working family.
Picard revealed that Martinez’s inspiration to remain in school and get her diploma was her niece, Fabiola Araiza. Thirteen, Araiza came to the United States from Mexico with no education and without speaking English. Martinez wished to be a role model for Araiza and demonstrate to her the importance of completing her education.
“They could be complacent,” Picard said of the education struggles migrant workers face, “but they are persistent and want to make something of themselves.”
The 2013 Adult Education graduating class was compromised of 162 students total. Fourteen of those students received their high school diplomas and six scored over 3,000 on their GED exams.
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| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox From left, RSU language instructors Jessica Umel and Carla Picard, high school diploma recipient Hilda Martinez, Martinez’s niece Fabiola Araiza and Picard’s daughter Olivia celebrate graduation with Martinez at the Adult Ed reception held at the Caribou Learning Center on May 16. |
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| Aroostook Republican Photo/Lisa Wilcox High school diploma recipient and Directors Award winner Donna Rossignol was surrounded by her family, from left, daughters Kourtenie and Kassandra, husband Timothy, mother Barbara, father Albert, son Scott, daughter-in-law Jennifer and grandson Kevin, at the reception held after the RSU 39 Adult Ed graduation at the Caribou Learning Center on May 16. |
