Eighty-three students from adult learning programs received their certificates at a graduation ceremony held at Bristol Community College on June 5, 2007. The BCC Adult Basic Education Program celebrates the accomplishments of students who earned their high school diploma by successfully completing national GED examinations. The American Council on Education cites that one of every seven people who graduate each year earn that diploma by passing GED tests. This year, BCC partnered with the Workforce Investment Board, the Fall River YMCA and local public schools to offer GED classes in reading, writing, mathematics and language development to help students reclaim the education they missed. For more information about the program, contact Diane McMullen at 508-678-2811, Ext. 2274.
 

(Top row, left) Bristol Community College President John Sbrega addresses the new graduates in the College Jackson Arts Auditorium. (Top row, center and right) Shawn Daggett of West Warwick, RI, listens to Center for Adult Basic Education Director Diane McMullen. (Middle row, left) Marcus Boyce or Raynham, Rebecca Botelho and Kevin Botelho (not related), both from Fall River, wait to enter the auditorium. (Middle row, right) Jessica Jones, a Fall River resident who dropped out of school in the 9th grade, tells her story along with Rashid Kbabitey who was born in Ghana, and Thomas McDonagh, an Irish immigrant who left school at the age of 15. (Bottom row, center) GED counselor Merl Coughlin welcomes keynote speaker Joan Cormier, currently a master tutor at the TASC Center who herself attained a GED ten years ago. Her daughter now teaches English at BCC and her grandson works as a VISTA Volunteer at the College. (Bottom row, right) Fall River students Brenda Saxon, Lisa Mooney and LuAnn Imlay pose outside after obtaining their GED.