On Friday evening, June 24, 2022, at the Wake Campus Auditorium and Garden, SBCC School of Extended Learning hosted a triumphant group of 29 adult students celebrating a life-changing milestone. In all, 36 students graduated from the Adult High School, GED and Bilingual GED programs this year. The graduates were welcomed and celebrated by the SBCC and School of Extended Learning leadership team and a full house of proud family and friends, followed by an outdoor dinner and dessert. The ceremony was also available by private Zoom link to the grads, family and friends who could not attend in person.

The ceremony began with the graduates’ processional and a live rendition of the National Anthem sung by Erika M. Cruz. The ceremony acknowledged the achievements of the students with remarks by Extended Learning Interim V.P. Carola Smith; SBCC Interim Executive Vice President, Educational Programs, Dr. Kathy Scott; and SBCC Foundation CEO Geoff Green. The event concluded with diplomas distributed by Extended Learning faculty Dr. Patricia Mautone and Dr. Karla Uribe, and the Graduate Conferral performed by SBCC Trustee Jonathan Abboud. 

Moving stories were shared by the Keynote Speaker and class speakers. Adult High School alumni Alex Vandenbelt, who in the five years since earning his diploma, went on to graduate from SBCC and UC Berkeley and has been accepted for graduate school at Columbia University. The speakers for the Class of 2022 included Linh Tran, who also earned her Extended Learning Medical Assistant Certificate this year, and Berenice Camargo. Each told their stories of many challenges they had overcome. As each student came to the stage to receive their diploma and congratulations from the SBCC and Extended Learning team, their future plans were also announced, including many who are now enrolling in to earn their degrees at SBCC in programs such as Nursing, Mathematics, Automotive Service and Technology and Business Administration.

Carola Smith concluded the ceremony with a hearty congratulations to the graduates for persevering through so many challenges and encouraging them to enjoy this moment. Smith also acknowledged all of the family and friends who came to celebrate and had supported and helped the grads as they worked to achieve this tremendous milestone.

The Adult High School (AHS) Diploma Program is designed for adults who want to earn their high school diploma. Students meet with an advisor to create an individual learning plan, and work one-on-one with faculty and in small groups with other students. Subjects include reading comprehension, vocabulary and grammar, spelling, writing, mathematics and other subjects.

GED exam preparation classes are designed for students who are 18 years of age or older who wish to earn a high school equivalency certificate. GED exam preparation classes are also offered bilingually (Spanish/English).