World of Opportunity

May 27, 2004

On Thursday evening, May 27, 2004, ten WOO GED graduate students walked across the stage, along with more than a hundred other graduates from across the county. The event was held at First Baptist Church of Gardendale and sponsored by Jefferson State Community College Jefferson County Adult Education Program. Our ten graduates were: Gladys Veronica Albarran April Anderson Jamaal Baker Meracella Byers Sierra Clayton Bonita Davis LaJonda Davis Daroues Hayes Joseph McGowan Wambui Njoroge April Anderson was the WOO valedictorian and gave a very spirited presentation which tied together education, fun, joy, homelessness, hunger, and perseverance. She received a warm reaction from the audience when she explained that she had been admitted into the UAB Honors Program. Krystina Brown, a student speaker from Virginia College GED Program, offered a very profound observation when she explained that she had to retake sections of the GED Exam. She said, "I believe that I failed the exam the first time, not because I didn't know the answers but because I didn't complete the test." So many students know the GED material well, but do not pass the exam because of time restrictions. Other WOO students in attendance to support their fellow students and/or family members included: Jaylin Davis, Candance Ferguson, Wanjui Muriithi, Verlaya Regulus, Jamyra Requate, Tashundra Solomon, and Channel Townsend WOO staff and Board members were represented by: Corey Howard, Peter Maynard, Cynthia Pigler, Harold Sargeant, Lindy & Preston Edwards, Glenda Jo & Steve Orel.