SSCC's Adult Opportunity Center holds recognition celebration

Area residents who passed the General Education Development (GED) test were honored recently at the 26th annual Adult Opportunity Center’s Recognition Celebration at Southern State Community College’s Central Campus in Hillsboro.

“Prior to tonight, Ohio had more than one million people over the age of 18 who did not have their GED or high school diploma,” said SSCC President Dr. Kevin Boys as he opened the evening’s celebration. “Tonight that number’s a little less.

“You folks are examples of incredible grit and determination and you set an example for all of us. This year, our Adult Opportunity Center served 688 students; 73 of that number have already started their college careers at Southern State.”

Following Dr. Boys’ welcome, student speakers Linda Ison-Jones and Anna Ramp were invited to address this year’s honorees.

Ison-Jones, who already earned her high school diploma but needed some assistance before transitioning to college, shared her decision to enroll in college readiness classes at Southern State.

“I am 50 years old, and I always wanted to go back to school,” she said. “When I had the time to go, I had no money; when I had the money, I had no time. I worried that I was too old and that I’d forgotten too much. But I decided to do it anyway. From start to finish, everyone I worked with was wonderful. This has been a blessing to me and now I’m on my way. I start college classes this fall. My message to all of you: Learn all you can.”
Ramp earned her GED and immediately enrolled fulltime in college classes at Southern State.

“I decided I wanted to go to college. I wanted to prove to myself and my family that I could do it,” she said. “I started with the college’s AOC program which I enjoyed greatly. I’m in my second semester as a fulltime college student, receiving some scholarships to help me along the way, and I currently have a 4.0 GPA and serve as the Student Government Association secretary. All of you can use your GED as a springboard to what you can accomplish later in life. Where you go from here is completely up to you.”

Karyn Evans, Dean of SSCC’s Adult Opportunity Center, said that – counting the 2013-14 class – more than 19,000 students have now been served since the program’s inception.

Evans then announced the names of honor students who achieved high scores on the tests: Shelby Jackson (writing), Anna Ramp (social studies), Anna Ramp (science), Josh Goslin (reading), and Salina Rogers (math).

A Trustee Scholarship, for three college credit hours, is awarded to any student who successfully passes the GED. Trustee Honor Scholarships, also in the amount of $500 each but awarded to the highest scorers from their respective counties, were presented to Jamie Francis (Adams County), Anna Ramp (Brown County), and Stephanie Henry (Highland County).

The annual “Friends of ABLE” award was presented to Altrusa of Highland County, Mike Cluxton of Adams County Courts, and Amy McClellan, Coordinator of Carl D. Perkins Grant.
GED preparation is offered free of charge through the Adult Basic and Literacy Education program at Southern State’s Adult Opportunity Center (AOC), under the direction of Karyn Evans, with assistance from staff, part-time instructors and volunteers.

Through Southern State’s Adult Opportunity Center, ABLE classes are free and offered on each campus and in several off-campus locations. All books and materials are provided. Morning, afternoon or evening classes are available for adult literacy, GED preparation, nursing program preparation, college refresher courses, workforce education, and reading, writing and math improvement.

Southern State’s ABLE program is a state and federally funded program offered at no charge to participants. Orientation is the first step for all enrolling students and pre-registration is required. For more information, please visit www.sscc.edu/specialized/aoc.shtml or contact Southern State’s Adult Opportunity Center at 1-800-628-7722, ext. 2687.