All eyes were on the High School Diploma Equivalency graduates Thursday as they made their grand entrance onto the Mitchell Community College circle.
During the 25th annual ceremony, 75 of the 311 GED graduates walked across the stage to shake the hand of President Doug Eason and receive their certificates.
Student speakers Dale Fredricks and Kimberly McDaniels used the ceremony as a platform to tell their stories.
McDaniels, 35, is a 10-year recovering drug addict, who was kicked out of school in the 10th grade for being drunk on school property.
She also went to prison and lost her two children, Suzanne Galliher and Steven George, because of her lifestyle.
"Prison saved my life," she said. "I was introduced to a better way. I was taught how to live again."
She abused drugs heavily for six years, but after 10 years of sobriety she has a new outlook on life, has been saved and has both of her children back.
She made a promise to herself years ago, and Thursday night was the culmination.
"When I came home (from prison) my goals were to get my education and my kids back," she said.
The life she once lived couldn't be any further away from the person who received her GED Thursday night.
McDaniels said receiving a GED is the start of her education and having it will help her attain her goal of becoming a substance abuse counselor.
""(Having my) GED has already taught me to pursue my goals, dreams and hopes," she said.
Vernon Lawter Jr., vice president of Central Florida Community College, was the keynote speaker for the ceremony.
Lawter said he may have five college degrees, but can relate to the struggles the graduates have endured.
As an adolescent, he remembers his mother had limited opportunities because of her lack of education.
Participating in the GED program transformed her life and her persistence inspired him to later focus on education.
Thursday was a great highlight in their lives, Lawter said, but he encouraged them not to let this milestone be the end of their accomplishments.
"Refuse to come to rest," he said.
Single mom Christina Folsom, 23, has balanced raising her two children, Madison and Ethan, with going to school.
Her hard work and dedication has paid off.
"I'm very proud of myself," she said. "It's very exciting."
Folsom, who completed the program in three months, dropped out of Mooresville High at age 16.
"Back then I thought that's what I wanted," she said. "I was young but not smart.
"But I'm going to do something with my life after all."
She was moved to return to school after splitting with her husband. Finishing this portion of her education is a great way to make a better living, she said.
Folsom is a server at a local restaurant and while the money is good, it's not something she wants to do for years to come.
"I wanted to go back to school to have a real job," she said. "I don't want to wait tables forever."
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