100 GED GRADUATES AT COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER
FOR THIRD YEAR RUNNING
(Philadelphia, PA) July 1, 2014 – In 2013-2014, Community Learning Center (CLC), a nonprofit adult literacy organization, had 100 GED graduates. This was the third consecutive year in which at least 100 CLC learners earned a GED.
This year’s graduates were honored at Community Learning Center’sAwards and Graduation Ceremony on June 26 at the Arch Street Meeting House. CLC Executive Director Rebecca Wagner said, “This year’s ceremony revealed the collective talent, hard work, and commitment that our graduates exhibited during their GED journey—frequently in the face of formidable obstacles. They and their families should be enormously proud of this milestone accomplishment. The CLC family certainly is.”
CLC provides free Adult Basic Education, GED, and English as a Second Language classes for vulnerable adults in Philadelphia. For both 2011-2012 and 2012-2013, CLC ranked first among the publicly funded adult literacy agencies in Philadelphia and tenth out of the 54 such agencies in Pennsylvania for number of GED graduates.
Two graduates, Svetlana Strunskaya and Trondell Hill, spoke powerfully about the impact of earning a GED. “As soon as I received my GED, I felt a rush from the accomplishment,” Svetlana said. “My son told me he was proud of me. I wept tears of joy. I made a list of goals for myself and wouldn’t stop till I conquered every obstacle...I wanted to become a teacher. I have been a substitute teacher now for almost a year at my son’s school, where I am loved and respected…” Svetlana attends Community College of Philadelphia, where a poem she wrote was published in the college magazine. Svetlana has also begun training to run a marathon for breast cancer research. “But,” she said,“out of everything I’ve accomplished, my biggest success is ensuring the well-being of my son. I’ve only begun my journey, but I know that I have the ability to conquer anything that comes my way, and so do all of you.”
Trondell Hill stated, “A tennis ball in Venus and Serena Williams’s hands means Wimbledon Championships. A basketball in Michael Jordan’s hands means NBA Championships. A golf club in Tiger Woods’s hands means PGAChampionships. But a GED diploma in my hands and in your hands meanscollege and job opportunity, and most of all it means hope.”
Several students were honored with special awards. Belinda Hendrick received the Association of Alumnae University of Pennsylvania Book Award. Belindaearned her GED in November and is now excelling in her medical coding and billing studies at Harris School of Business. Penn Book Awards are awarded nationally to outstanding high school juniors who exemplify the characteristics of Benjamin Franklin, the scholar, inventor, statesman, and public servant who founded the university. Community Learning Center is honored to be the only non-traditional school that is included in the Book Award program.
Jean L. Fleschute Awards, named in honor of CLC’s founder and former executive director, were presented to MamadouMaiga and Sherby McCloud. Mamadouand his family emigrated from Mali.He was an extremely positive force in his classes, always helping his classmates. While pursuing his GED, Mamadoustrove relentlessly to secure employment to support his family, which includes his wife, who also earned her GED, and their children. Mamadouachieved both of his goals‒earning a GED and getting a job. SherbyMcCloudearned her GED in December. While attending CLC, Sherby held down a job, often coming directly to class after working the overnight shift. Despite her demanding schedule, Sherby maintained impeccable class attendance and was always upbeat and motivated. Sherby plans to go to college.
The first annual Community Learning Center Alumni Achievement Award was presented to Mary Anderson. Mary grew up in poverty and left school after the eighth grade. After many years of hardship, Mary enrolled at Community Learning Center and earned her GED. Mary went on to Community College of Philadelphia, where she was president of the Student Government Association. She graduated from CCP with highest honors and was one of just three graduates, chosen from more than 1700, to speak at CCP's May 2009 commencement. A Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation national finalist and a member of the 2009 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team, Mary was awarded a full scholarship to West Chester University, where she earned a B.S. in Education summa cum laude in 2011.
Lorraine Ballard Morrill, News Director, Community Affairs Director and Host for
Clear Channel Media (Power 99, WDAS, Radio 104.5, Mix 106.1, 1480 WJJZ AM and Q102), served as special guest speaker at CLC’s graduation event and expressed her admiration for the graduates’ accomplishments.
About Community Learning Center (CLC)
Founded in 1987 with just 67 adult learners, Community Learning Center now enrolls more than 800 learners annually in its free classes in North Philadelphia, West Philadelphia, and Germantown. Community Learning Center’s mission is to help adults develop literacy, math, and life skills, using a supportive and holistic approach, so that they can realize their fullest potential at home, in the workplace, and in the community. For more information about Community Learning Center, visit