Proud Moment

 Haley Reid of Dyersburg receives her envelope containing Dyer County Promise Scholarship information from DSCC President Karen Bowyer.

Chairs had to be brought into the First Citizens National Bank Auditorium to seat the overflow crowd of guests attending the 22^nd General Educational Development (GED) commencement hosted by the Dyer County Adult Education program.  Of the 68 who completed the program in 2011-12, 24 took part in the ceremony held on August 30 on the Dyersburg campus of Dyersburg State Community College

Class member Latoya Young of Dyersburg was chosen to present the commencement address. She told the class and their guests, “For 13 years I struggled with the thought of not graduating with my friends. This was very painful to me. As a child I had always had a dream of becoming a nurse. When I didn’t have the opportunity to graduate, I didn’t have the motivation to keep going.”

Young found motivation to earn her GED later in life when her daughter asked her to help with her homework. In October 2011, Young started working with the Adult Ed program. In February, she earned her GED and is now enrolled at Dyersburg State Community College. She plans to achieve her goal of becoming a nurse.

This year, GED graduates ranged in age from 18 to 76. Dyer County residents who receive their GED diploma are now eligible for the Dyer County Promise Scholarship. According to Beth Feith, Dyer County Adult Education Director, many of those who received their GED scored high enough on their ACT test to apply for Tennessee Lottery Scholarships. 

All GED test preparation classes and materials are free. The cost for the actual GED test is $65. To learn more about Dyer County Adult Education and GED test preparation classes, please call 731/286-3231.