Marybeth Hallman, left, gives certificate to Melody Shirley, who accepted on behalf of her mother, the late Erma Jean Shirley. Shirley was working on the math and science portions of the GED test before she died in August 2009.

special to the star

    Thirty-one students in Meridian Community College’s General Educational Development Program shook the hands of MCC President Dr. Scott Elliott as they received their GED certificates at a recent evening ceremony.

    Elliott would later tell the group, “This has been an uplifting night. I hope you realize how very special you are. It’s been an honor to shake your hands tonight.”

    Many honors were recognized during this semi-annual event at the college – including spotlighting those individuals who earned perfect and top-ranking scores.

    Daniel Oldham was applauded for his perfect score of 800 on the science portion of the GED Test. In addition, William Sims and Bailey Smith, along with Oldham, wore black honor cords signifying them as graduates with standard scores of 3,000 or above.

    A GED certificate was also given posthumously to Erma Jean Shirley. Marybeth Hallman, ABE/GED instructor, told the audience that Shirley was a dedicated student who was working on the math and science portions of the GED test before she died in August 2009. A photo of Shirley will be included in an upcoming statewide calendar of outstanding GED students, said Hallman. Daughter Melody Shirley said to Hallman after receiving her mother’s certificate, “she’s graduated to a higher class.”

    The 31 students included Crystal Beaudry, Gary Broome, Alishia Dearing, Shakira Ezell, Daryl Gordon, Robin Griffin, Daniel Guyll, Jazman Hinton, Christopher Holliman, Victoria Humfleet, Tammie Jenkis, April Kelly, Samantha McMullen, Jonathan Melton, Jarred Montoya, Nicholas Moore, Lesley Morris, Daniel Morrison, Daniel Oldham, Bobbie Rutherford, William Sims, Bailey Smith, Thomas Smith, Stephen Thomas, Therrick Thomas, Raenell Thornton, Taelor Turner, Christy Wallace, Krystle Ward, Taisa Williams and Kyle Wilson.

    According to Jennifer Whitlock, director of adult basic education at MCC, the students who were handed their certificates in the recent ceremony were among the 113 students who earned their GEDs from July 1-Dec. 31, 2009.

    In continuing his talk to the graduates, Elliott added, “It would be a double honor to shake your hands when you get your college degree.”