IRSC HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA GRADUATION CEREMONY
Wednesday, May 20, 2009, McAlpin Fine Arts Center, Main Campus, Fort Pierce
6 p.m. - Last Names Beginning with A - K
8 p.m. - Last Names Beginning with L - Z

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS TO BE PRESENTED AT IRSC CEREMONY

Taking a big step toward a brighter future, 656 Treasure Coast residents earned their high school diploma through the Indian River State College Adult Education programs this year. Throughout the 2008/2009 school year, the graduates earned high school credits in IRSC's Adult High School or prepared for the General Educational Development (GED) exam at 12 IRSC Adult Education sites throughout St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties. The IRSC High School Diploma Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 20 in the McAlpin Fine Arts Center at the Main Campus in Fort Pierce. Students with last names beginning with A to K will participate in a ceremony at 6 p.m. and those with names beginning with L to Z will receive their diplomas in a ceremony starting at 8 p.m.

"IRSC Adult Education graduates are encouraged to develop job skills, plan a career and continue their education to enhance their earning potential," said Dr. Anthony Iacono, Associate Dean of Developmental Education. IRSC Adult Education programs have received national and state recognition for excellence in transition programming that assists students in entering and earning postsecondary degrees. Every year over 1,000 Adult Education students will transition to college through dual enrollment, co-enrollment, or upon graduation.

One individual who has chosen the path of higher education is graduation speaker Sabrina McMillan, a 1998 IRCCGED graduate. Sabrina, 36, is a resident of Port St. Lucie and is currently employed at IRSC as a Grants and Contracts Accountant. Sabrina graduated from IRCC in 2004 with an Associate in Arts degree in Business Management. She then transferred to Florida Atlantic University and recently received a Bachelor of Science in Management. Sabrina understands that the GED is the first step towards higher education and is honored to share her story at this year's graduation ceremony.

Angelina Burgos entered IRSC's GED program at the Mueller campus with determination to gain all the necessary skills to pass the GED exam. Despite her motivation, Angelina never failed to remind the GED staff that, "It is the math I so dread!" Nancy Ober, GED instructor, comments that Angelina attacked the math knowing that a better job and future were within sight. Angelina has earned her GED and is currently taking general education classes at the IRSC Mueller Campus working towards a career in Corrections. Ober concludes "Angelina typifies all the requirements a graduate. She is a highly motivated woman dedicated to bettering her life and that of her children."

Many graduates honored at the Graduation Ceremony will continue their education in one of IRSC's certificate or degree programs through scholarships awarded through Adult Education programs. IRSC Adult Education programs award over $60,000 a year in scholarships through the college's Foundation Office. About $40,000 will be awarded to AHS and GED graduates who plan to continue their education at IRSC in the next academic year. Along with scholarship recognition, 12 graduates will also be inducted into the National Adult Education Honor Society whose mission is to recognize outstanding adult education students and develop student ambassadors for local adult education programs.

As one of IRSC's top Adult High School students, Autumn Warren, 18, of Port St. Lucie will also receive a two-year scholarship to IRSC. She has been attending IRSC as a dual enrollment student through the Adult High School and plans to major in either Occupational Therapy or Nursing.

The Ann Polk Memorial Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing a degree in Education or Nursing. This year's award will be presented to GED program graduate Liza Soto, of Port St. Lucie. Liza has been attending IRSC for the past year and has achieved strong grades, which will help in her application to the A.S. degree in Nursing next year. Liza plans to complete the ADN and then move into IRSC's new Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing soon after.

IRSC Adult Education programs are free to students. For more information, call the IRSC Information Call Center toll-free at 1 -866-792-4772.