For the past 17 years, those who have received their GED certificates throughout the year have been honored with graduation ceremonies. This year 55 of the 249 graduates participated in the ceremonies held for the first time at the Kirbo Center. The graduates are from Decatur, Early, Miller and Seminole counties where Adult Education classes are held.

Kay Lynn, Director of Adult Education, presented several awards to the graduates.

Standing proudly with their awards are Jimmie Glisson, Jennifer Perry, Angie Stevens and Jennifer Perry.

The Examiners Award is presented to the student or students that show determination in taking and passing the GED examination. That award was presented to Christina Marie Love and Jennifer Caroline Perry.

The Director's Award was presented to sisters Jimmie Glisson and Angie Stevens. The Director's Award is presented to outstanding students that show qualities of determination in study and preparation.

Joshua Lynn

Honor graduates, students who scored a total of 3,000 or above the required 2,250 for the class of 2008-09 were: Christopher Howard Cobb, Candace Garner, Joshua Dellon Lynn, Conor Denis Seafield and Charles Blake Spurgeon. A special presentation was made to Joshua Dellon Lynn who achieved a score of 3,410.

Juanita Davis

Lynn stated that this is the 7th year that the Jane Long Award has been presented. This award is presented to the student the represents the outstanding qualities of Mrs Long which include compassion, kindness, love of family and God and humor. The recipient of this award was Juanita J. Davis.

Each of the graduates story of the journey they have made to bring them to GED graduation. While the journey varied, they all ended with a certificate in hand. Four of the graduates shared the story of their journey including 2 sisters, Angie Stevens and Jimmie Glisson both from Decatur County, who were the first in their family to graduate.

Keynote speaker was former GED graduate, Ruby Barlow. At the age of 52, Barlow stated that she was let go of her position of 15 years with American Electric and found herself unemployed with no high school diploma. She made the decision to attend the Adult Education Program, received her GED and then attended Bainbridge College receiving a certificate in computer technology and is currently employed as a Program Assistant for the Associate Degree in Nursing Program.

"I will never tell you it's easy but when God closes one door He opens another one." Barlow said. "In this day and time, there is no greater asset you can have than a strong education. Your GED opens a world of opportunities and options."

Prior to presenting the graduates their certificates, Dr. Tom Wilkerson Bainbridge College President told them "Be determined to go forward and extend that education. It will never fail you and can never be taken away from you no matter what happens."

Following the presentation of certificates, a reception for the graduates and their families and friends was held in the Kirbo Center Atrium, hosted by the Bainbridge Rotary Club.

The Adult Education Program is a partnership with the Decatur County Schools, Bainbridge College, the Decatur County CLCP, LIFE, Decatur County Correctional Institute, County Commission, Bainbridge-Decatur County Council for the Arts, USDA Rural Enterprise Grant, St. Joseph's Catholic Church English as a Second Language classes and the Bainbridge Rotary Club