BRCC honors graduates of Adult High School, High School Equivalency programs

Staff Reports
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Graduates of Blue Ridge Community College's Adult High School and High School Equivalency programs proudly pose together after their graduation ceremony. Front row, from left are: Sam Stroup; Leah Parris; Cayla Owen; Ivannia Artavia Hollingsworth; Melissa Leigh Dombrowski; Nelly Cecilia Diaz Sarmiento; Gladis Cortes Ojeda; Diana de Pilar Carvajal Rueda; Nalleli Guzman; Monica Aguilar; and E. Grace Solle, faculty. Back row, from left are: Erin Dula, faculty; Alvaro Javier Villamizar Guerrero; Dagoberto Sandoval Reyes; Javiera Pizarro-Huerta; Celeste Kelly; Angel Guerra; Edgar Garrido; William Harris Hilyer; Aaron Alexander Heatherly; and Marcela Basto Jaramillo. Not pictured, Ellizabeth Hernandez.

Blue Ridge Community College recently hosted a graduation ceremony for 20 graduates of the Adult High School and High School Equivalency programs in the Thomas Auditorium.

According to BRCC, the Adult High School (AHS) program prepares students for higher education and the workforce by helping them complete their high school diploma. The program is offered on a web-based platform with instructor guidance and support. The High School Equivalency (HSE) program prepares students to earn a North Carolina Community College High School Equivalency Diploma by passing the ETS HiSET or Pearson VUE GED tests. Subjects covered include reading, writing, math, social studies, and science.

The guest speaker was High School Equivalency graduate Leah Parris, who told her own story of perseverance through financial struggles and homelessness. She congratulated her fellow graduates and encouraged them to celebrate personal victories. Parris recently accepted a position with Blue Ridge’s Adult Education department.

Blue Ridge Adult Education and Literacy Coordinator E. Grace Solle performed the presentation of graduates. Diplomas were then conferred by Blue Ridge Vice President for Instruction Kathy Allen, who also provided closing remarks and released the graduates for a reception with families and friends.

“Both of these programs are tremendously successful because of the partnerships we have with both Henderson and Transylvania County Schools and Schenck Job Corps, as well as the support of Blue Ridge staff and faculty,” Allen said. “I applaud you for reaching this milestone.”

The full list of graduates included:

Adult High School 

  • Aaron Alexander Heatherly

  • William Harris Hilyer

High School Equivalency 

  • Monica Aguilar

  • Marcela Basto Jaramillo

  • Diana de Pilar Carvajal Rueda

  • Gladis Cortes Ojeda

  • Nelly Cecilia Diaz Sarmiento

  • Melissa Leigh Dombrowski

  • Edgar Garrido

  • Angel Guerra

  • Nalleli Guzman

  • Elizabeth Hernandez

  • Ivannia Artavia Hollingsworth

  • Celeste Kelly

  • Cayla Owen

  • Leah Parris

  • Javiera Pizarro-Huerta

  • Dagoberto Sandoval Reyes

  • Sam Stroup

  • Alvaro Javier Villamizar Guerrero

To learn more about Blue Ridge’s AHS and HSE programs, visit www.blueridge.edu/programs-courses/adult-education-and-literacy. 

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: BRCC honors graduates of Adult High School, High School Equivalency programs