Speakers’ message to IVCC Adult Education graduates: never give up on your dreams

The keynote speakers at Illinois Valley Community College’s 44th annual Adult Education Recognition shared one message: never give up on your dreams.

At IVCC, Martha Flores of Mendota and Caleb Chambers of Marseilles transitioned from GED or English proficiency programs into a career pathway program to become a certified nursing assistant and a welder, respectively. Margret Morse of Henry finished her GED at age 38, has already completed some general education classes, and dreams of studying in Scotland.

Flores believed that her age and language barriers were obstacles to going back to school, “but all those limitations were only in my mind, because everyone could see in me things that I thought were impossible.”

She went on to complete a CNA certificate through the Integrated Career & Academic Preparation System (ICAPS), a career pathway program. Recalling the long weeks taking classes in the mornings, working afternoons and studying at night, she surveyed the auditorium and declared “all that sacrifice and hard work were worth it!”

Completing his GED was Chambers’ first step toward a welding career. IVCC instructors then helped him sign up for welding courses and “all those first steps of coming to college.”

“IVCC transformed my life by giving me opportunities I never had before. It is a mind-opening place that taught me personal skills rather than just educational ones,” he told the audience via video since he did not attend the ceremony. “And they go a great job teaching welders!” he added.

Morse was home schooled in grade and high school and always struggled with math. She passed all but the math portion of her GED, but her studies to complete the entire GED were interrupted over the years. Recently, she enrolled in general education courses at IVCC – and with faculty encouragement, tutoring and accommodations, completed a basic algebra course. This spring, she passed the math section of the GED.

“There were times when I got very discouraged and thought I would never obtain my GED, but not wanting to be caught in a job where I was not living out my full potential gave me the push I needed,” Morse said. She added, “Do not give up on your dreams, and never think you are too old to achieve what you want.”

Dr. Vicki Trier, vice president for academic affairs, announced that 25 of the 54 GED completers requested a tuition waiver for their first class in a career area, such as Truck Driver Training, CNA, Phlebotomy, Real Estate or Emergency Medical Technician. Six of those students were present and recognized during the ceremony.

Other incentives for completers include an IVCC Foundation scholarship and college transcript credits for achieving or exceeding a test score of 175 in each subject area. Trier announced that Sebastian Stadler received a $500 scholarship, and he and Nicholas Jungles met the score requirements.

In all, 68 students completed GEDs, citizenship studies or career pathway programs this spring.

Receiving their completion certificates at the ceremony were:

Illinois High School Diploma recipients – Amal Abushanab; Patricia Anderson; Nevaeh Bernard; Cortney Bland; Andrea Cortes; Caleb Crabbe; Cassidy Downey; Paige Downey; Gavin Ebert; Raven Gebhardt; Gavin Wampler, Lorilee Kaley; Angelina Kurdi; Keiran Leisure; Breana McDaniel; Adrianna Moore; Margret Morse; Aracely Payan; Kelsey Price; Madison Schramm; Marisela Spence; Ava Wallace; Keisha Wimbley; Stephen Woods and AJay Young.

ICAPS completers – Martha Flores, Milena Ribeiro and Evelyn Tejada.

Bridge to Careers completers – Musab Ahmed; Maribell Herrera; Jenyffer Rosas; Ana Jones; Magdaly Neira; Alejandra Medellin; Musab Mohamed and Evelyn Tejada.

Citizenship honorees – Aracely Payan.