Waddell Speaks at Randolph Community College Adult High School/GED Graduation May 13

In writing his graduation address for Randolph Community College’s Adult High School Diploma/ General Educational Development (GED) spring graduation ceremony held Thursday, May 13, in the R. Alton Cox Learning Resources Center auditorium, Arthur Waddell, assistant pastor of Oakland Missionary Baptist Church and a retired N.C. Highway Patrolman, said he thought about "how difficult and truly painstaking getting an education can be on an individual and their loved ones." He compared the graduates to palm trees that, while storms and hurricanes wreak destruction all around them, stand firm by bending with the wind. He told the graduates that even though they had faced many obstacles, "like the palm tree, you kept bouncing back again, again and again. Like the palm tree you held strong."

Waddell congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to share their knowledge. "Knowledge is power, but it is a power that is to be used for the benefit of all," he said.

The Basic Skills Division holds three graduation ceremonies throughout the year for Adult High School Diploma and GED graduates who finish their studies at various times throughout the year. A ceremony was held Dec. 17, 2009, for the fall semester, and a ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 5 for the summer graduates.

Approximately 40 students participated in Thursday’s ceremony out of 98 GED graduates and 5 Adult High School Diploma graduates who were eligible in May.

Also speaking at the graduation ceremony were Dr. Robert Shackleford, RCC president, and student Alicia Perez. Perez said that after dropping out of school, she worked in a factory for many years, but she wanted more. "My dream was to become a nurse," she said, and the first step was obtaining her GED. She is currently taking a Certified Nursing Assistant class that is a prerequisite to enrolling in the Associate Degree Nursing program at RCC. "I stand here before you to let you know that anything is possible," she said.

To read more about the graduation and see the list of graduates, go to http://www.randolph.edu/newevents/2010/2010-05-14.php.