BBCC students earn GEDs
Courtesy photo Brand-new Big Bend Community College adult education graduates pose in caps and gowns outside the Wallenstien Theater after the May 13 ceremony.
MOSES LAKE — It was a night of new beginnings last Wednesday as 129 students walked the stage and earned their General Equivalency Diploma (GED) at Big Bend Community College.
“This is one of the two days that you will remember,” said Faviola Barbosa, BBCC dean of transitional studies. “We want you to know this is just the beginning of your journey.”
“You now have the ability to move forward with your education and we can’t wait to see what you accomplish next,” Barbosa added.
As part of its Adult Education program, BBCC offers preparation classes for the four GED exams, as well as English as a Second Language classes and preparation for the U.S. Citizenship Exam.
According to BBCC, students earning their GEDs on Wednesday, June 13 varied in age from 18 to 79.
“It is so inspiring to hear the stories of our students and how they have been able to overcome challenges to reach this point in their lives,” said Bryce Humpherys, BBCC vice president of learning and student success. “We are very proud of them.”
“Now that they have earned their diploma and know how to succeed academically, we hope all of them continue with a college education,” Humpherys added.
Since 2014, BBCC said that more than 600 students have graduated from the school’s Transitional Studies Program.
Charles H. Featherstone can be reached via email at countygvt@columbiabasinherald.com.