40 students earn GEDs
Jul 25, 2024“The beautiful thing about learning is no one can take it away from you.”
While Shamour Lindsey shared this inspirational quote by famous blues musician B.B. King, it was the preface to his own inspirational story as he earned his High School Equivalency diploma at Rockingham Community College on Thursday, July 18.
Lindsey thanked his instructors for “always seeing the light in me that helped me keep going, even when I didn’t see it in myself,” he said. He thanked his family and fellow students. “I consider myself blessed to have such a strong support system.”
Perseverance paid off
This was not Lindsey’s first try with the GED program.
“It was my fourth time. This time, I had something that I didn’t have the first three times, and that’s belief in myself,” he said. “I started and stopped, and finally received the assistance I needed to believe that I could accomplish my goal of getting my GED in spite of all the obstacles I dealt with.”
He acknowledged that there was always a support system, but that it was up to himself to take the first step.
“I stumbled and fell along the way, but… I always got up and never gave up,” he said. “I’ll say it again for anyone in the room who needs to hear it. Never give up. Keep your head up and keep moving forward, and that dream will turn into a goal, and that goal will turn into an achievement. All it takes is the courage to take the first step. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask.”
Lindsey now plans to enroll in RCC’s Emergency Medical Technician program.
“I know what it feels like to be physically incapable and needing help from a caring individual,” he said. “I want to be that individual for someone because there have been many people who have helped me, and my spirit is moving me to become an EMT.”
CCR Director Arcelle Taylor turned to Lindsey with praise: “I am so proud of you, I am so proud of who you’ve become, I’m so proud of who you will become. You are amazing.”
Forty students earn GEDs
Lindsey’s story is just one of the many success stories of this year’s 40 graduates, who range in age from 17 to 45, and hail from as close as Wentworth and as far as Kernersville:
- Eden – Jordan Belue, Gabrielle Brooks, Jonathan Carlisle, Tashema Clark, Josana Craddock, Davon Graves, Jamie Hall, Celexceia Hamlett, Bradley Harrison, Wesley Lunsford, Kenneth Martin, Bradley Pike, Katlin Roop, Isaura Sanchez, Leon Scott, Rodney Small, Michael Stewart, Anna Wooten
- Madison – Emily Bradford, Benjamin Daves
- Kernersville – Sierra Holt
- Reidsville – Samuel Branch, Spencer Carter, Ashley Goins, William Holland, Gabrielle Liberty, Shamour Lindsey, Kaya Locklear, Ethan Sanders, Kiana Shelton, Ashley Warf
- Ruffin – Jesse Clifton
- Sandy Ridge – Maria Chavez
- Stokesdale – Daynen Freeman
- Stoneville – Patricia Romaniz, Jose Serrano Franco, Isabella Silvarrey, Adah Wells
- Summerfield – Jenna Sirmans
- Wentworth – Amanda Korpi
GED program at RCC
Arcelle Taylor said she is honored to lead the GED program, which brings groups of students from many backgrounds together to create a one-of-a-kind program.
More information
Anyone interested in completing their high school education can enroll in RCC’s free program and earn their High School Equivalency diploma. Classes are held on campus, virtually, and online, and are designed to prepare students to take the GED or HiSET test, which can be done on the RCC campus.
For information on either of these programs, contact CCR Director Arcelle Taylor at 336-342-4261 ext. 2305 or taylora6732@rockinghamcc.edu. Information can also be found at https://rockinghamcc.edu/continuing-education/adult-high-school-ged/.
