GED Recognition Ceremony

Harford Community College held its annual GED Recognition Ceremony on June 24 in Darlington Hall. Fifteen students earned a Maryland High School diploma in FY24 through Harford’s program.

Dr. Lorraine Peniston, Director of Adult Development & Literacy Programs, opened the ceremony and introduced Dr. Diane Ryan, Vice President for Academic Affairs, who welcomed the GED completers. The keynote speaker was Cassandra R. Beverley, Esq. Valedictorian was Levance Myers Jr. and Wanda Barksdale was the graduate speaker. Adjunct instructor Karen Gabel read a speech by a graduate wishing to remain anonymous. Dr. Theresa B. Felder, President of Harford Community College, congratulated the GED completers. Closing remarks were made by Dr. Peniston.

Harford’s Adult Literacy program offers instruction in GED preparation and English as a Second Language (ESL). Adult learners in the English as a Second Language program can transition to GED preparation classes with a goal to earn a high school diploma and enroll in post-secondary education programs.

Students who completed the GED in 2024 at Harford included Sharah Bailey, Wanda Barksdale, Brittni Corey, Noveletz De Jesa, Barbara Honan, Nicholas Hudson, Justin Johnson, Phillips Lewis Jr., Emily Mackenzie, Nazah Maurice, Levance Myers Jr., Ashmanie Shamraj, Miracle Tanks, Louise Ann Teng, and Madison Vazzana.

Dr. Lorraine Peniston oversees Harford’s Adult Literacy Program. The ABE/GED program is supported by federal and state funds granted by the Maryland Department of Labor. In addition to Dr. Peniston, Adult Literacy staff includes Marla Goffin, Beth Johnson, Jessie Thompson, Rhonda Davis, Cassandra Burke, Aaron Dunn, and Brian Hendricks.

Harford’s ABE/GED/ESL faculty is composed of Mariama Ayouba-Abdourahamane, LaToya Chatmon, Sarah Clifton, Joe Connolly, Kimberly Doolittle, Justin Fisher, Tremain Fisher, Karen Gabel, Flora Hinton, Nataliya Izvyekova, Monica Jakuboski, Marquita Johl, Vidya Kausik, Denise McNew, Lee Mooney, Paul North, Joseph Ploskonka, Angela Scott, Anna Sives, Carol Smithson, Shawana Thompson, Raquel Warbington, Sara Watson, Paul Weber, Gregory Wright, Betty Wright-Jones, and Art Wynn.

The College plans to hold the next GED recognition ceremony in 2025.

L to R (first row): Sharah Bailey, Levance Myers Jr., Miracle Tanks, Ashmanie Shamraj, Phillip Lewis Jr., Emily Mackenzie, and Justin Johnson. Second row: Wanda Barksdale, Brittni Corey, Noveletz De Jesa, Barbara Honan, Madison Vazzana, Nicholas Hudson, and Nazah Maurice. Not pictured: Louise Ann Teng.

Photo Credit: Ujen Jonchhe, Harford Community College