MATC HONORS MORE THAN 100 AT HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY COMPLETION CEREMONY JUNE 7
Madison Area Technical College will hold its 15th Annual High School Completion Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, June 7, at 7 p.m. in the Mitby Theater at MATC–Truax, 3550 Anderson Street. The cap and gown ceremony honors students who have completed requirements for a high school option, including the High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED), the General Educational Development (GED) certificate, the External Diploma Program (EDP) and the High School Equivalency Program (HEP). A reception in the cafeteria will follow the ceremony.
Among those who will earn high school equivalency credentials this year is student speaker Juan Manuel Lujan from the High School Equivalency Program (HEP). Lujan was taking English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at MATC when he heard about the HEP program. He'd completed ninth grade in his native Mexico but work got in the way of his finishing high school.
"I had always wanted to get a high school diploma and was curious when I heard about the program. I'm very excited. I still cannot believe I've completed high school. It's an amazing feeling, and I want to share those feelings and tell people who are looking for a better life that education is the key. You can do it."
Lujan is starting classes at MATC this summer in the Liberal Arts Transfer Program and plans to transfer to a four-year university to study medicine.
Jaime Elorza also is graduating from the HEP program. He was doing seasonal work when his girlfriend, Evelyn Tinoco, heard about the program at a local community center. Both decided to take the program and complete their diplomas together.
"I wanted to complete high school but work was always the priority. When we found out about HEP, I thought it would take months to finish but I actually did it in about a month. Now I'm going to explore more opportunities at MATC. I'm interested in either the Real Estate or Small Business program and hope to start my own business one day."
Because of the nature of migrant and seasonal work, many of the workers cannot complete a traditional high school education because they are unable to attend school a full year. Many speak Spanish as their first or only language. HEP offers flexible scheduling and an opportunity to complete a diploma in Spanish or English. More information on the HEP program is available by calling (608) 259-2977 or 259-2975.
Ka Lor, who came from Thailand two years ago, will receive his High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED). "I thought to get my diploma would be very hard since I was just learning English and had a family to take care of, " he says. "It wasn't as hard as I thought. In Thailand I worked as a barber a little and want to learn more. Now I have applied to the Barber/Cosmetology Program at MATC and hope to start in the fall."
University of Wisconsin–Madison Professor Sandra Adell is the keynote speaker this year. A former instructor in MATC's Adult Basic Education Program, she has been teaching Afro-American literature and drama, theory and criticism at UW since 1988. Professor Adell writes regularly about literature, drama and social issues.
The author of three books including a comprehensive overview of the writer, Toni Morrison's life and work, her newest book, to be published March 2008, is Confessions of a Slot Machine Queen, is a memoir with social commentary on the casino gambling industry its impact on working-class people. She also is an accomplished actor and member of the Actors Equity Association, the Screen Actors Guild, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
MATC President Bettsey L. Barhorst, MATC District Board Vice Chair Gerald R. McGowan, PhD., Wisconsin Senator Jon Erpenbach and State Representative Sondy Pope-Roberts will welcome and congratulate the participants and their guests. About 500 people are expected to attend the ceremony that marks a great accomplishment for the many people who, for a variety of reasons, haven’t followed the traditional educational process.
MATC is one of the largest of the Wisconsin Technical College System’s 16 colleges. It provides a comprehensive curriculum of technical, liberal arts and science, adult basic education and life enrichment studies and activities, as well as customized employee training. MATC offers associate degrees, vocational diplomas and certificates, and non-degree courses in more than 140 programs of study. The college serves all or parts of 12 counties located in southcentral Wisconsin and offers instruction through five campuses and numerous community locations throughout the district.
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June 5, 2007
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