Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College recently recognized 59 students during its 2026 Adult Education Graduation ceremony held May 5 at Wallace Hall on the Wallace Drive Campus in Gadsden.
The ceremony honored students who earned either a General Educational Development (GED) credential or a high school diploma through the college’s Adult Education Program.
Twenty-three students completed the requirements to earn their GED by passing tests in language arts, math, science and social studies. Many participants prepared for the exams through Gadsden State’s free GED preparation classes offered in Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne and Etowah counties.
Students recognized for earning their GED included Jessica Allen, Dakota Bonner, Kerrigan Carpenter, Donny Donahue, Rowyn Goodwin, Chase Anthony Gramling, Brooke Grizzard, Brandon Hayes, Anthony Lara Hernandez, Jennifer Hodge, Alan David Kilpatrick, Courtney Marie Meredith, Austin Neil Miller, Killian Parris, Makayla Posey, Matthew Shirley, Deeanna Sims, Cheyanne Smith, Forrest L. Smith III, Keyahara Speights, Gabrielle Thomas, Michal Thomas, Christian Matthew Thrasher and Ilia Wooldridge.
An additional 35 students earned high school diplomas through the Non-Traditional High School Diploma Option, a partnership between the Alabama Community College System and the Alabama State Department of Education.
The program is designed for adults who attended an Alabama high school and either earned enough credits to graduate but did not pass the graduation exam or earned at least 10 credits but needed additional coursework to complete high school requirements.
Students receiving diplomas from the last Alabama high school they attended included Lindsey Alford, Keith Anderson, Daylen Baise, Taylor Bentley, Savannah Brantley, William Dalton Busby, William Walter Clevenger, Tamia Clifton, Sonya Collins, Richard Colvin, Emma E. Cothran, James Brock Duncan, Alex Dunn, Martasia Garrett, Alexis Guinn, Elisabeth Hancock, Alexander Lamar Jordan, Bilma Escobar Lopez, Keira Lovelidge, Samuel Lutes, Kayla Nicole McKendree, Ana Morales, Jariya Nolen-Norris, Olivia Pinson, Edward Ranson, Nicholas Rollins, Jonathan Shadwrick, Kalina Smith, Joseph Studdard, Derek Tucker, Trivia J. Verges, Kimberley Walker, Jamila Whisenant, William Wilson and Gracie Wood.
The ceremony featured welcome remarks from Hollie Patterson, director of the Adult Education Program, along with opening remarks from Alan Smith, president of Gadsden State. Allen Millican served as keynote speaker, while student guest speakers included Kerrigan Carpenter, Deeanna Sims, Courtney Meredith and Alan Kilpatrick.
Patterson said the graduates demonstrated perseverance while overcoming challenges throughout their educational journeys.
“Each graduate leaves our program with a story of resilience, determination and achievement,” Patterson said. “By earning a GED or High School Diploma Option credential, these students have opened new doors for their futures. Their accomplishments inspire our faculty, staff, families and community as they continue pursuing higher education, career advancement and personal success.”
According to Gadsden State, this year’s ceremony marked the largest Adult Education graduation celebration since the COVID-19 pandemic. College officials also recognized faculty, staff, family members and supporters who helped encourage graduates throughout the program.
Additional support was acknowledged from members of the college’s executive cabinet and leadership team, including President Smith, Dr. Tera Simmons, Dr. Joey Battles, Dr. Derrick Griffey, Dr. Dana Davis, Dean Jessica Slaten, Dean Andy Robertson, Dean Andy Green and Alabama Community College System representative Zach Lee.
More information about GED preparation courses, the Non-Traditional High School Diploma Option and Adult Education Services is available through Gadsden State Adult Education.
