PJC holds GED graduation ceremony
Published or Revised May 18, 2015
At top, Jimmie Avinger shared her story of overcoming obstacles to gain her GED and graduate from PJC with those receiving their GEDs Tuesday evening. At bottom, Kelly Faulks of Sulphur Springs receives recognition from the National Adult Education Honor Society from Krista McAdamis, instructor with Adult Education and Family Literacy, He also received a scholarship to PJC.
Ceremonies were held for students from the past year who successfully met testing requirements to receive general education development (GED) diplomas Tuesday, May 7, in Paris Junior College’s Hunt Center.
PJC Director of Adult Education and Family Literacy Susan Sanchez introduced guest speaker Jimmie Avinger. To inspire the other graduates, Avinger related her story of the struggles she overcame to get her education.
A young teenage mother, Avinger eventually had six children and overcame illiteracy, dyslexia and the death of her mother to obtain her GED. She was a 53-year old displaced homemaker when she began taking GED classes. Now in the Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program at PJC, she has been named to the President's List two years in a row, and was recently elected Vice President - Service of Phi Theta Kappa, the national two-year college honor society.
Kelly Faulks of Sulphur Springs received the Lamar County Literacy Council scholarship to be used at Paris Junior College, and was accepted as a member of the National Adult Education Honor Society. His acceptance was based on teacher nominations, good attitude, work ethic and attendance.
Those who have received GEDs in the past twelve months include:
Clarksville: Ellyse Moraga
Honey Grove: Gailyn Moore
Sulphur Springs: Kelly Faulks, Clayton Hanson and Jeremy Patrick
Paris: Kayla Dawn Childers, Adrian Finch, Tara George, Jessica Gilman, Allison Johnson, Kaitlynn Murray, Kourtney Newman.
