By LARRY WOOD/The Aiken Standard
GRANITEVILLE — The Aiken County Public Schools Adult Education program graduated a record number of students Wednesday during commencement exercises.
More than 135 students in citizenship, English as a second language, diploma and GED programs walked across the stage in the auditorium at Midland Valley High in front of a standing-room-only crowd of family and friends who applauded and cheered their achievements.
“This is my 29th year in education, and I’ve been very blessed to have the success that I’ve had but more importantly to see the success that I’ve seen,” said Patrick Keating, the director of Adult Education. “I’ve always had a passion for at-risk students, and everybody has his or her individual path.
“These folks have overcome tremendous obstacles and hurdles that have been in their path and have never quit. They have continued to work to achieve their goals, and this is a wonderful step in that direction – a huge step in that direction.”
Speaking for the diploma graduates, Savannah Gantt said that “failure and success go together.”
“This means that setbacks are almost predictable when you choose to follow a difficult path, but such a path will ultimately bring the most happiness in the end,” she said. “The greatest potential for happiness comes from a success that is hard-earned. Congratulations and good luck to the class of 2017.”
Victor Gadsden spoke for the GED graduates, saying he always knew he wanted to graduate from high school and become successful but he came to believe he was “the bad child, the slow child, the unloved child.
With help from his family, however, he got his first job and a car, and he met someone who encouraged him to go back to school and achieve more.
“So I stand here this evening in front of all of you to tell you: Never give up,” he said. “Even when things don’t go as planned, keep pushing forward to become a better you. I want to thank my family for their love and support. I want to thank them for not giving up on me. I did, and the best is yet to come.”
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