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LEWISTON — Nasra Houssein said she likely wouldn’t have been recieving a diploma at Lewiston Adult Education’s graduation June 10 if people in her life hadn’t urged her to return to her studies.
The native of Djibouti dropped out of her classes last year because she could not fit them in with her work schedule. When she spoke from the podium in the Lewiston High School gymnasium, she credited Lewiston Adult Education teachers Don Roux and Amy Hatch for their encouragement, along with coworkers at Trinity Jubilee Center in Lewiston.
She returned to her studies after a three-month absence, and was the student speaker at the June 10 graduation.
“Without all your help, it would have been difficult for me or anybody else,” she said. “So thank you all for giving us your time to help us succeed.”
The 30 Lewiston Adult Education graduates at the ceremony received their high school credential by taking the High School Equivalency Test. The HiSET exam has replaced the GED for high school equivalency.
Beth Derenberger received the Lifelong Learner Award for her commitment as a teacher and for exemplifying the sharing of knowledge at Lewiston Adult Education. She learned rug braiding from an adult education course in Oxford Hills. After a few years of practice, Derenberger ended up teaching in Oxford Hills and at Lewiston Adult Education. She taught rug braiding at Lewiston since 2004 and retired at the end of the winter-spring 2019 semester.
“I have made so many friends from my teaching,” she said before the ceremony. “It’s awesome. Students come because they want to come. People come because they’re interested. And that’s half the battle,” she said before the ceremony.
Also honored was instructor Diane Whiting, retiring after 25 years, who worked most recently at the B Street Community Center.
“There are so many things I admire about Diane,” Adult Learning Center coordinator Laurie Champagne said, “but one thing in particular is her unflappable ‘good cheer.’ No matter what kind of day Dianne was having, she would always take a moment to say a kind word or ask about your family. Her classroom became a first ‘real’ home to many.”
Other awards presented includes:
Central Maine Community College Courage to Grow Award to Delcio Carraco
Educator Diversity Awards to Fozia Robleh, Zahra Djama Rabi, Araksan Egueh, Raymonde Likele and Wils Idris
New Mainer Employability Awards to Paula Mambo, Celest Dias, Herclita Liconga, Rossana Garcia, Helena Colai, Odia Anne Kamuanga, Hibo Guelleh, Charlotte Hariette, Abshiro Aden and Ermelinda Oliveira.
Other Graduate Recognition awards went to Ruben Kalonji, Noel Gallant, Ines Mugisha, Ornella Nibasumba, Malumba Ndoluvua and Yussuf Mohamud.
Student Arina Patranek received special recognition from the Adult Ed staff.
Outgoing Superintendent of Schools Bill Webster was the keynote speaker and received a round of applause for his support of adult education. Lewiston Adult Education Director Bill Grant gave retiring teacher Diane Whiting a bouquet of flowers during the ceremony to thank her for her service of more than 25 years.
PHOTO: Lewiston Adult Education graduation speaker cites perseverance, support PHOTO: Nasra Houssein, who was the student speaker at the Lewiston Adult Ed graduation, was one of 30 to receive diplomas June 10. (Submitted photo)
