Lewiston Adult Education graduates persevere, celebrate accomplishments

PHOTO: Lewiston Adult Education Director Bill Grant addresses Lewiston Adult Ed graduates June 8. (Submitted photo)

LEWISTON — High temperatures failed to drive away Lewiston Adult Education students from their graduation at the Longley Multi-Purpose Building June 8, but perseverance is nothing new for the class.
Graduates, families, friends and community members attended to celebrate the classes of both 2020 and 2021, with 32 earning their diploma.

Lewiston Superintendent Jake Langlais told graduates they’ve demonstrated resilience, and they now carry it with them. “Don’t you ever forget what you’ve achieved,” Langlais said.
Lewiston School Committee Chair Megan Parks participated in conferring diplomas along with Langlais, Lewiston Adult Education Director Bill Grant and Lewiston Adult Education Assistant Director Jennifer Tiner.
Each student’s name was announced, and Adult Learning Center Coordinator Laurianne Champagne spoke of each one’s accomplishments as they recieved their diploma.
Kerigan Graham persisted despite a busy work schedule and COVID restrictions in classes and testing.
Rebecca Berry wrote an essay on how education is a lifelong process. “To support her conviction of this statement, she plans to continue her education by going to college to pursue a career in the field of medicine. We wish her well,” Champagne said.
Carlos Marquez-Teruel was the last student at graduation to receive his diploma. He was also one of several high-achieving High School Equivalency Test takers.
“In 2021, Carlos got the highest HiSET scores at Lewiston Adult Education, including two perfect scores in math and science. Congratulations on a job well done!” Champagne said.
The HiSET has replaced the General Educational Development test as the exam used to determine if a student has achieved high school equivalency in subject areas. Once the five exams are completed with passing scores, students receive the Maine State Equivalency Diploma.
“This graduation celebration was especially poignant for me because of how COVID changed how education was delivered and accomplishments were celebrated over the past year and a half. Our graduates persisted despite class and testing restrictions due to the pandemic. Truly an amazing group of students,” Champagne said after graduation.
The 2020 and 2021 HiSET graduates are:
2020: Hannah Baronfeld, Ethan Bryant, Kameron Charest, Arnaldo Chissano, Trevor Cote, Garret Curit, Noel Gallant, Jonathan Harris, Dustin Child, Maria Hodgdon, Christopher Kirk, Carter LaBrecque, Jayden LaPierre, Robert Lauzier, Shayne MacFarland, Courtney Meehan, Deven Miles, Yussuf Mohamud, Autumn Morse, Ifrah Mouhamed, Bobokar Moussa, Emmanuel Niyomwungere, Samuel Ntirandekura, Catherine Putnam, Tawni Raznoff, Brianna Reny, Deantae Robinson, Amber Santomango, Karli Spencer, Noah (Claire) Turner, Mercadeez Warner, Nathan Warner, Maggie-May York.
2021: Rebecca Berry, Desiree Child, Dustin Child, John Chittenden, Benjamin Cyr, Londa Doucette, Michael Douglas, Xavier Emond, Rebekah Ferrin, Ashley French, Kerigan Graham, Karina Greenleaf, Justin Harding, Jennifer Laliberty, Aidan Landry, Michelle Lavoie, Caroline Marchyshyn, Meghan Marcous, Carlos Marquez-Teruel, Megan McMahan, Arianna Mohseni, Bryce Moon, Willow Ollis, Austin Poliquin, Luqueni Santos, Raven Satele, Cynthia Shoaf, Nolan Spellman, Dean Spencer, Megan Thayer, Camden Thomas, Tia Trynor.