BHC congratulates 2016 GED®, high school completion grads

Black Hawk College celebrated the accomplishments of 75 students June 9, 2016, at the annual GED® and High School Completion Graduation Celebration.

The event recognized Adult Education and Optional Education students from across the college district who completed all GED® or high school completion graduation requirements during the 2015-16 school year.

GED® graduates Michael Muse of Milan and Broderic Nelson of Silvis and high school completion graduate Jacob Lavine of Rock Island were the featured student speakers.

School was “not so easy and many people didn’t think I could do it, so I tried the GED® program,” Nelson said.

Once he completed the GED®, Nelson enrolled in the college’s six-week welding program.

“I had never had that much fun in school. I was doing something that I loved and doing it well,” he said. Nelson earned his welding certificate and was offered a job two weeks later.

“Black Hawk College gave me the tools I needed to reach my goal of getting my GED®,” Muse said. This fall, he will continue his education by taking college-credit classes at Black Hawk College to earn an associate degree.

“It’s never too late to be a better you. Only you can make your dreams come true by setting goals and taking steps towards them,” Muse said.

“From the moment I stepped into Black Hawk, I knew this was the school for me,” high school completion grad Lavine said.

“I didn’t want to leave. This place was a safe place. I had never felt that at any other school,” he said.

GED® and high school completion classes at Black Hawk College are offered at no cost to students and are conducted in a variety of locations. A new session will begin Tuesday, Aug. 9.

For more information, call or visit one of these learning sites:

Black Hawk College Outreach Center
301 Avenue of the Cities, East Moline
309-796-8216

Black Hawk College Adult Learning Center
4610 Black Hawk Commons Drive, Rock Island
309-794-1072

Black Hawk College Community Education Center
404 E. Third St., Kewanee
309-854-1875

High Roads Advantage
2004 SE. Third St., Aledo
309-582-8181