PIQUA — Fourteen students from the Upper Valley Career Center Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE) program turned the dream of graduating into a reality on June 4. The annual event was attended by Upper Valley Career Center and ABLE staff members, family, friends, State ABLE Director, Donna Albanese, and guest speaker, Jessica Manuel.
Special guest, Donna Albanese, State ABLE director, welcomed those in attendance and commended the graduates for their strong self discipline and perseverance in achieving this milestone accomplishment. Special tribute was paid to Alisha Hiles, of Sidney, Opal Cruea and Shanin Hudson, of Piqua, and Cierra Kaufhold, of Greenville, who by demonstrating superior work ethic, attendance, and academic success earned the honor of induction into the National Adult Honor Society.
Guest speaker, Jessica Manuel, Probation Incentive Caseworker for Champaign County, congratulated the graduates on their achievement and offered words of inspiration. She encouraged the graduates, “Your future just became endless and your dreams just became a possibility. Take the time to reflect on this huge accomplishment.” Manuel went on to challenge the graduates to turn this achievement into the start of a pathway to lifelong success. “It is you, graduates that motivate and inspire all of us. Take your diploma, your determination, your perseverance, and change the world. “
Dr. Nancy Luce Upper Valley Career Center Superintendent and Dr. Barbara Wagner Upper Valley Career Center Adult Division Director awarded the diplomas.
The 2016 ABLE graduates are: Covington- Kelly Bowman; Greenville- Cierra Kaufhold and Bill Worden; New Carlisle- Martha Zaragoza; Piqua- Opal Cruea, Shanin Hudson, and Lorene Phipps; Sidney- Brandon Carnes, Allison Harris, Alisha Hiles, and William Justice; Troy- Colin Messler, and Logan Rench; Vandalia- Stormy Hennon.
