Every year Jean Boucias helps hundreds of people work toward their GED (General Educational Development) certificate and she knows there is a unique story of struggle and admirable perseverance behind every student. \"Every story is powerful to me,\" says Boucias, coordinator of GED testing at the college.<\/p>\n
Almost half of the GED students are 19 years old or younger who left high school for reasons as varied as the people themselves. On October 16, more than 30 were handed their GED certificates by Greenfield Mayor Christine Forgey.<\/p>\n
Among the graduation speakers was Beverly Maldonado, 24, a 2004 GED graduate who left high school in 10th grade, thrown off-kilter by a difficult home life. She said that she had tried to stay in school, but every time something would happen in her personal life that pulled her away.<\/p>\n
When she graduated with her GED certificate, she continued her studies at GCC, choosing a criminal justice major. With several credits toward her degree completed, she is now employed full-time at Smith College and may return to school in January.<\/p>\n
Maldonado is a lesson in perseverance. She told the soon-to-be college students, \"I can remember when I sat there, where you are right now, I was excited but at the same time nervous. I know many of you have tales of struggle and setbacks, too,\" she said. Maldonado is not just closer to earning a college degree; she is past thinking she cannot pursue her goals. That wasn't in the GED test but is a lesson she learned in the process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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