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..For Tiffany Rogers and Eric Roberson, getting their GED was all about creating a better life for their children. Both students joined 58 others in a graduation ceremony Thursday night at Coosa Valley Technical College.
“I’ve got four kids and they’re always my inspiration,” said Roberson. “I dropped out in 10th grade when my oldest son was born because we had no one to baby-sit, and I had to take care of responsibilities with a part-time job.”
Click here for more information about getting a GED and family literacy programs.
Roberson said he’s been out of school 17 years, but said it wasn’t hard to make the decision to go back.
“I had to deal with the situation going on. Florida Tile closed and it pushed the issue even more so I coul
Paris Roberson, 5, sits in her father Eric Roberson’s lap as he waits for his name to be called Thursday at his graduation. (Ken Caruthers / Rome News-Tribune) |
d support my family,” he said. “I feel on cloud nine because it’s such a success where I’m at now and where I’m going in the future.”
Roberson, who was one of the recipients of the Congressional Citizenship Awards from U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Marietta, said he hopes to open a children’s center that offers childcare around the clock for parents. He’s currently working and plans to study business technology at CVTC.
Rogers will also be going back to school at CVTC to study business office technology. Like Roberson, she said her kids were her inspiration. <
April Minter (from left), Starla Towe and Buffi Easterwood wait in line before their graduation Thursday night. (Ken Caruthers / Rome News-Tribune) |
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“I decided to do this for my girls,” she said. “I’ve got two girls and one on the way.”
Rogers was able to get her GED through the family literacy program, a partnership with Floyd County Schools that provides education for the whole family.
“It was a great program, and I wouldn’t have been able to get my GED otherwise because I’m a stay-at-home mom,” she said. “They helped out a lot and taught them different things. It wasn’t a daycare, but a learning program, and they watch her while I’m in the class.”
Jennifer Bagby, who coordinates the family literacy program, said it is geared toward helping parents get their GED.
“There’s four components — adult education, child education, parent education and parent/child together time,” Bagby said.
Rogers walked across the stage with her youngest daughter — both dressed in cap and gown.
“Out of all the things we do at CVTC, and we do a lot of things, there is nothing more valuable, more enjoyable and pleasant than seeing people come back and get their GED,” said Dr. Craig McDaniel, president of CVTC, during the ceremony. “It’s the highlight of my year every year, to see people go back after they’ve made a choice to leave school.”
GED GRADUATES
Alfredo Barrera
Ericka Barrett
Lydia Beebe
Brandi Bridges
David Brinkley
Christopher Brown
Kyle Brown
Olivia Brown
Felicia Busby
Vickie Byars
Lisa Byess
Cimberly Canady
Yulian Cisneros
Sandra Cook
Steve Dallas
Steven Daras
Jillian Dodd
Elizabeth Early
Buffi Easterwood
Stacy Edwards
Maria Evans
Alicia Flowers
Theresa Gabey
Damian Harris
Amanda Hickman
Anthony Hollis
Courtney Holts
Christa Hood
Samuel Hughes
Eid Jasir
Jaclyn Johnston
Tiffany Knight Rogers
Pamela Luna
Lisa Mantooth
Chris Martin
Chanterria McKeever
Emily Milam
April Minter
Susana Neira
Jeff Newberry
Ted Newberry
Rhonda Parm
Dedra Price
Priscilla Reid
Eric Roberson
Jarvis Smith
Will Smith
Crystal Stansell
Pamela Thompson
Starla Towe
Lekrysta Trammell
Gregory Tutt
Lisa Vaughn
Timothy VonBehren
Jace Walker
Levi Ware
Zetta White
Amanda Wright
Jerry Wheat
