The Adult Education and Literacy Ceremony, held Wednesday, June 7, recognized High School Equivalency and English as a Second Language achievement.
The college recognized 80 students receiving High School Equivalency, 20 students receiving honors in the English as a Second Language Program, 10 students becoming U.S. Citizens, and seven students completing Integrated Education and Training (IET) classes.
From the Integrated Education and Training classes, two students were recognized for gaining their Digital Literacy Certificate, two for becoming a Certified Logistics Associate, and three were recognized for becoming a Certified Logistics Technician.
Minseo Gang, the English as a Second Language student speaker, talked about her motivation throughout her journey. She said, “Speed and strength weren’t the key to achieving my goal,” but rather, “Persistence and dedication,” were the traits Gang said she needed to help her finish both the ESL and High School Equivalency program.
Alexys Hanson, the High School Equivalency student speaker, said “This is an achievement and a milestone in my life that I never thought was possible.” Hanson said she struggled through her high school years with mental health and couldn’t keep up in her classes. Now looking back, she said, “The journey I’ve been on is the foundation to my growth.” She finished the HSE program with an Honor Student level score on her HiSET exams.
English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, offered at no cost, help non-native speakers improve English skills in reading, writing, speaking and understanding (listening), with a special focus on conversational skills for home and workplace literacy. SCC also offers specialty classes in TOEFL, citizenship, pronunciation and writing. Students from beginner to advanced levels will find classes to help them improve their English skills.
High School Equivalency (HSE) classes, also offered at no cost, teach basic reading, math and writing skills to prepare people to take the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET®) or to improve basic academic skills for college readiness or career advancement.
The Adult Education and Literacy program at St. Charles Community College served over 850 total students this year with 570 in English as a Second Language classes alone.
Ingrid Casillo, Lead AEL Instructor, in describing the Adult Education and Literacy program said, “This program unites education under one roof creating one wonderful and bold avenue for learning.”
For more information about the AEL program at SCC, call 636-922-8411 or visit www.stchas.edu/ael.
Photos from the event are available here.