The school year is fast approaching for Johnston kids, but for 22 adults from Tri-Town Community Action Agency’s GED program, school’s out for summer. On Wednesday, Aug. 12, 10 of the graduates attended a ceremony to receive their diplomas at the North Providence Boys and Girls Club.

The GED program is funded by a grant from the Rhode Island Department of Education. Keynote speakers included Kristen Connors, a representative from Congressman James Langevin’s office and North Providence Mayor Charles Lombardi. Mayor Joseph Polisena was unable to attend.

After a greeting from Tri-Town’s adult educator John P. Dougherty and opening remarks from Tri-Town co-Executive Director Brenda Dowlatshahi, valedictorian David Hernandez of Providence addressed his classmates.

“I realized without an education that it would be hard for me to find a job – it was suggested to me that I contact Tri-Town,” said the soft-spoken New York City native.

Hernandez said a lack of motivation and the negative influence of others led him to drop out of high school. Now, he has something to be proud of.

“Someone asked me before we started, ‘Is this really important?’ I answered, ‘Yes, it is extremely important that we celebrate the achievement of our students,’” said Dougherty, praising graduates like Hernandez and their persistence.

Speaking to the barriers each of the students overcame, Dougherty said reaching this point isn’t always easy and 40 students were unable to complete the program because of it.

“These graduates are here today because they took the bull by the horns and made a big decision approximately 12 months ago. This is no small achievement,” he said.

Mayor Lombardi agreed, congratulating the group and the graduates who could not be there.

“You can be whatever you want,” he said.

Dowlatshahi believes that, although the students are finished, Tri-Town will continue to take care of them in the future.

“My greatest dream for you is that you find a career path that you can be passionate about,” she said. “And although you all have families, Tri-Town is also your ‘home support system.’”

To complete the GED program, participants take classes in math and writing, and some are tutored individually. In order to pass, students must take and pass GED exams in five subjects.

Sara Grace of Johnston was one of those receiving her diploma, as well as a member of the Dean’s List. She recently finished her second semester at Lincoln Tech, where she is studying to become a pharmaceutical assistant.

“I hated high school and dropped out in my junior year from North Providence High,” she said. “Then I heard about the GED program at Tri-Town. I completed it in two months.”

Grace hopes to graduate from the Lincoln Tech program in another eight months thanks to the support of Tri-Town.

Another graduate, Jessie Angell, was presented a bouquet of flowers during the reception that followed the ceremony. She and her mother thanked Dougherty, telling him that both planned on entering the nursing program – together – at CCRI.

Moving throughout the room to offer congratulations to graduates, Dougherty posed for a photo with Zach Matuozzi of Foster.

“He can do whatever he wants to do,” Dougherty told Matuozzi’s proud family members.

The adult educator, who has been with Tri-Town for six years, has photos of past GED graduates hanging on the walls of his office, which he points out to new students as they sign up for the GED classes.

“That’s you, next year,” he says.

Tri-Town Community Action Agency is located on Hartford Avenue in Johnston and serves the towns of Johnston, North Providence, Smithfield, North Smithfield, Burrillville, Glocester, Scituate and Foster. They will, however, accept GED class enrollments from outside its coverage area.

This year’s graduates are Jessie Angell, Alexander Brown, Jesse Bussiere, Brittney Calitri, Amanda D’Amario, Kenneth Davis, Sarah Grace, Kristal Grau, Jeremy Greenberg, Justin Hartshorn, David Hernandez, Melissa Mann, Zachary Matuozzi, Janina Mendez, Sakire Orhan, Robert Pine, Amanda Plunkett, Christina Rossi, Samantha Rusler, Andrew Sabourin, Alacyn Stoepker and Amelia VanMeter.

For more information on Tri-Town Community Action Agency programs, call 519-1921.