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Show i lull High School graduates 100 area residents J , V 'i f x S- '' '- ; James Scott Thompson says it has been a long time since he quit school - about five years - but if he had it to do over again, he wouldn't leave without graduating. Thompson, one of the speakers at Adult High School graduation ceremonies, said "I'd like to tell you kids out there who are going to high school right now, finish! It's important. im-portant. You start skipping school and you get mixed up with the wrong crowd and it's no fun." Melissa Myers said getting a diploma meets a lot to her. She said, "Getting my diploma is important because it proves I can accomplish what I set my mind to do." "It takes a lot of encouragement and help from others," she told proud parents, spouses, children and friends of the 100 graduates of the program gathered for the cer-monies. cer-monies. Kathleen McKell said it had been almost 18 years since she left school and "let me tell you, it's hard to go back." Ms. McKell said she plans to go on to Utah Technical College now and further her education. James L. Carter, who received his General Education Development (GED) certificate said he quit school 26 years ago and has constantly con-stantly after his children to graduate. "When my class graduated, I was in Germany in the Army," Carter said. One day a friend said if seeing his kids got an education was so important im-portant to him, why didn't he go back "so I mustered my forces and went into it." Guy Hillman, who has been in education since he first began teaching in 1936 and is now a teacher in Adult High School program, said he enjoys the work, likes the teachers, personnel and administration ad-ministration he is associated with and "most of all, I have love and admiration for the students." He congratulated the graduates for achieving. "I can only hope that through education we can learn how to achieve peace and avoid a nuclear holocast," he said. Musical numbers were provided by Priscilla Fauscett; and Keith Alder; and a daughter of Margaret Kelly paid tribute to her mother. Gary Boyack, manager of the Adult Basic Education program, gave the welcome and introduced the speakers. Dr. Susan Stone, Director of the Adult . and Community Education program, said 100 students completed com-pleted both the GED and the Adult High School diploma program during the year. Another 31 received their GED certificates. She said among those graduating were a mother and son; a mother and two daughters; three married couples; three students who had babies during the year; and three foreign students. The students range in age from 18 to 60. Many are raising families and working while they're in school, she said. "We commend every one of these students for their persistence and dedication." Dr. Richard Sudweeks, president of the Alpine Board of Education, accepted the graduates and awarded the diplomas. Sudweeks also commended the graduates and their families. "It is true that school is an essential part of your education, but it is just a beginning," he said, urging them to keep learning as "you carry on throughout your life." 'irne Nerdin receives congratulations at Adult High School ceremonies from lers. |