‘Never, ever give up’
CSM celebrates graduates for earning high school diplomas
The College of Southern Maryland recognized 24 Adult Education program graduates for returning to school and earning their Maryland high school diplomas Nov. 10 at the La Plata Campus.
“You did it,” College of Southern Maryland President Maureen Murphy said to the graduates during her commencement address. “For many of you, this is a moment that perhaps you thought was an impossible dream; but, yet, it was a dream that inspired you to stretch yourself. You have achieved your dream, and even more, you have inspired others who have watched you, coached you, and are here to celebrate your success.”
The adult education program provides basic education classes to adults that cover all areas of basic reading, writing and math to prepare students for the GED test or the National External Diploma Program.
Murphy also surprised graduate Psalms Wilson of Prince Frederick with a $250 scholarship, which was established by CSM Vice President Richard Fleming, who before his retirement worked with the college’s continuing education and workforce development program to make the college the provider for the adult basic education/ general education diploma programs in Calvert and St. Mary’s counties.
Murphy also presented each of the graduates with a $500 scholarship to continue their studies at the college.
“You are here today because of your determination, your passion, your hard work,” said Maryland Department of Labor Office of Adult Education and Literacy Services Director and keynote speaker Terry R. Gilleland Jr., who reminded the graduates that “there is one thing you can never get back: Time. You can lose a job and get another. You can lose money and make more. Yes, you can lose friends and meet others. But you never get back time.”
The class student speaker was Raylen Eggleston of Lexington Park.
“I have seen first-hand how challenging the road to success can be,” said Eggleston, who had a 3.8 GPA when she dropped out of school at the age of 17. “There are plenty of times I regretted that decision, but at the same point if it wasn’t for me going through all of that I would not be standing here today.”
“I can’t thank CSM enough for helping people who couldn’t see success in themselves,” said graduate Jason Reed of Chesapeake Beach. “My advice to anyone out there who may not have completed high school is to never give up. I failed the math test three times, but CSM kept helping me and eventually I did it. Never, ever give up.”
“I am just so proud she followed through,” Stephanie Boothe said after watching daughter Ashely, who plans to pursue her degree with CSM as a full-time student next semester walk across the stage.
The following is the list of graduates: Kayla Armstrong, Ana Claros Alvarez, Ashley Boothe, Jeremy Bowie, Maria
Castillo, Shalena Critchlow, Sarah DeFalco, Raylen Eggleston, Isaiah Foote, Nathanael Gish, Joshua Goldberg, Grace James, Bryon Leach, Miceala Lewis, Emily Logan, Amber McCrobie, Darian Mehaffie, Shree Morgan, Jeremy Nicely, Callie Proctor, Jason Reed, Jasmine Rolon, Janelle Simpkins, Psalms Wilson and Yotzin Yanez.