OBSERVER Staff Report
JAMESTOWN BOCES Adult and Community Education Division held its GED recognition ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 18, in the cafeteria of the BOCES Gateway Center, in Jamestown.
Seventeen GED graduates and Special Acknowledgement recipients, including two that traveled from Erie County, were on hand to receive their degrees. Also on hand were family and friends, as well as more than 18 community partners, including Erie 2 BOCES staff, Jamestown Community Learning Council, Fenton Historical Society, James Prendergast Library, Chautauqua Works, Ross Innovative Employment Solutions and United Industries.
Article Photos
Submitted Photo
The BOCES Adult and Community Education Division recently held its GED recognition ceremony at the BOCES Gateway Center in Jamestown. Pictured, along with Adult and Community Literacy Coordinator Judy Shaffer, center, are New York State Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, left, and Gretchen Varney, Adult and Community Education Division director.
The guest speaker was New York State Assemblymen, Andrew Goodell, who repeated the mantra, "I can do it," and encouraged the graduates to keep moving forward. Goodell shared not only his own successes, but his defeats as well. He also participated in handing out diplomas and stayed for the reception. The National Anthem was sung by graduate, Michelle Cali, while Marie Young was the student speaker, talking about her life and the difficulties she faced as a young child. She described her journey to Jamestown and how she completed her GED. Young is now enrolled as a student at Jamestown Community College.
