July 1, 2025—Cobb's Adult Education program saw an impressive group of 125 adults earn their GEDs. This record-breaking group had the highest number of students earning a GED since 2018. In addition to hundreds of friends and family members of the graduates, Board of Education members David Chastain, Tre Hutchins, and Brad Wheeler were in attendance to celebrate the major milestone.
Speakers at the commencement included Dr. Ehsan Kattoula, EAGLE Student of the Year—Diamond Sherrod-Lewis, and EAGLE Teacher of the Year—Stacey Tolliver.
The following students were recognized for their exceptional hard work and perseverance:
Victoria Latson: Academic Achievement-Highest GED test scores
Amira Assoum: STAR ESL Student-Character Award
Anson Bumpers: STAR GED Student-Character Award
Adult Education Center staff members Mona Sourour and Edith Stowers were presented with the Director's Award for their relentless pursuit of excellence.
As always, the stories of how students got to the graduation ceremony were a major highlight of the event. There is no direct path to the GED, and every student has a unique perspective on what motivated them to pursue their dream of earning a high school diploma.
The appreciative audience learned that Amira decided to take ESL classes to enhance her English, even though she was already fluent in French and Arabic. Now with an ESL certificate, she plans to use her Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics as a teacher in a middle or high school classroom. Amira's favorite parts about her experience in Adult Ed were the diversity of cultures, traditions, and languages. She said it felt like exploring the world through brief conversations.
Anson's journey to his GED was filled with starts and stops, and he said he felt like a quitter. He had tried to earn his GED a few years back, but never was able to complete it. That all changed when he returned in 2024. This time, he found the drive and determination to achieve his goal. He was hesitant, resistant, and fearful, but he knew he had to work hard and put in extra time to pass the difficult tests. In February, he passed his Social Studies test, but knew that his greatest challenge—the Math test—was still before him. In late May, Anson took the test without telling any of his teachers and was surprised to learn that he passed on the first try! He quickly passed his final test and could stand with the rest of his classmates and turn his tassel as a 2025 graduate.
Every student could tell a similar yet different story about their own education struggles and victories. The amazing things happening and the hard-working staff and students at the Adult Education Center are inspiring and exemplify what dedication and perseverance can accomplish. Click here to learn more about all the available programs at Cobb's Adult Education Center.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025 Adult Ed Learners and Graduates! Well done for completing your goal and achieving your dream!
