31 earn high school diplomas at RCC
Jul 24, 2020Rockingham Community College held a graduation ceremony on Wednesday, July 22, honoring graduates of its High School Equivalency and Adult High School programs.
Finishing the programs this year were 28 HSE students and three AHS students.
In a modified ceremony, graduates and their families stayed in their vehicles until called to enter the gym hallway in small groups, while wearing masks and social distancing. One at a time, each family was called to a designated area to watch their graduate receive their diploma from RCC President Dr. Mark Kinlaw.
Graduates who now hold a High School Equivalency diploma are:
Noah Abernathy, Dalia Alvarez, Savannah Anderson, Stephanie Baker, Makenzie Baldwin, Millie Brown, Matthew Bullins, Tonia Burbank, Rylee Burgess, Alexis Castro, Gavin Cates, Austin Coe, Scarlett Deloach, Crystal Dvorak, Deanna Ellison, Kristie Guilliams, David Gunnell, Tekeyah Gwynn, Kalila Hanible, Jose Hernandez Lopez, Caleb Hogue, Cristen Jolley, Chase Kirkman, Paige Lauler, Mikayla Lewis, Bryanna Mabe, Dyango Madrigal, Nathan Marshall, Norma McAdoo, Charice McCurdy, Kelly McManus, Coty Michaux, Victoria Morton, Sierra Pinnix, Kayleigh Poindexter, Grenika Price, April Pruitt, Jordan Pruitt, Tatiyanna Sanderson Bennett-Bey, Michael Smith, Austin Taylor, Troy Taylor, Cassidy Thompson, Michael Thompson, Derek Vallance, Ginger Vestal, David White, Tony Whitt, Ashley Williams, Douglas Wilson, Connie Winchester, Melissa Wood, and Joseph Yow.
Adult High School graduates are Krista Maurer, Kendall McNeil, and Jack Walker.
Sierra Pinnix and Krista Maurer each received a $500 RCC Foundation scholarship.
After graduation, Pinnix plans to attend RCC, but has not decided if she want to pursue training to become a probation officer or a paramedic.
Maurer plans to enroll in RCC’s Certified Nurse Aid (CNA) program, and then pursue her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) degree while working as a nurse aide.
“I dropped out of school in 11th grade, and that just wasn’t me. I found out about this program and I got in, in no time,” Maurer said. “The experience was great. It was, by far, my favorite thing ever. I loved it more than high school.”
She said anyone who is considering alternative programs to obtain their high school diploma should apply and go for it, and that it’s not hard.
“’Grow through what you go through,’ that’s what I always say,” Maurer said.
She sported two colored cords with her cap and gown. A green cord signified a Career and Technical Education Concertation and a North Carolina Career Readiness certificate from the Health Science Academy. A blue cord signified earning a Microsoft Office Specialist certificate.
Many other graduates plan to attend RCC.
Austin Coe wants to take welding and other classes. Paige Lauler wants to enroll in the EMT or Paramedic program.
“After I graduate, I plan on taking CNA classes,” said Grenika Price. “And after completing that course, I’m going for my cosmetology license.”
Kendall McNeill also wants to enter a cosmetology program.
“My plans are to start a solid career in welding and working on cars,” said Alexis Coe. “I have a good understanding on how to run a successful business.”
The Adult High School Diploma program is tuition-free, and helps qualifying adults complete a high school diploma through individualized instruction. Students must pass required high school-level courses, and are awarded credit for previously completed high school courses.
The High School Equivalency Diploma program provides an opportunity for students who did not finish high school to earn their diploma. New this year, students can take the program by mail.
Obtaining a high school diploma can help open new doors for employment or advancement, or allow students to continue their education at RCC. The three nationally recognized assessments used to obtain the diploma in North Carolina are GED, HiSET, and TASC. Students can take the GED or HiSET tests on RCC’s campus.
For information on these programs, contact Howie Stacy at 336-342-4261 ext. 2146 or stacyh8276@rockinghamcc.edu. Information can also be found at www.rockinghamcc.edu/non-credit/adult-basic-education
