GED milestone

It would be hard to tell who was prouder: The 70 students who were honored at a GED graduation ceremony earlier this month, their family and friends or the instructors who guided them through the weeks of preparation. Let's call it a draw. They all were bursting with justifiable pride.

There are many reasons some individuals don't complete their high school educations and receive diplomas as graduating seniors. Some started families. Some found jobs that didn't require a high school education. Others simply dropped out, only to find out how limited their options were without a diploma or GED certificate (which stands for General Educational Development).

Locally, the GED program is provided by the Cape Girardeau School District's Adult Education and Literacy Program. Becky Atwood is the coordinator. "This district believes that education takes a lifetime," Atwood said. Students who take advantage of the GED program have, fortunately, figured that out.

Some of the new GED grads have already found jobs that otherwise wouldn't have been available to them. Some of enrolled in special training programs. Still others are embarking on college careers.

Hats off to all the GED students who worked so hard to accomplish this critical milestone. Good luck.