Adult High School and High School Equivalency graduates. Front row, left to right: Xavier Jimenez, Esly Raquel Herrera Amador, Kallista Waddle, Precious Faith Cunningham, Irene Garcia Espino, Kharla Pamela Mazariegos Ardon, Maria de Lourdes Angel Lopez, Erika Lizbeth Barragan Velazquez. Back row, left to right: Nathan Regan, Cody Brock, Noe Calderon, Tayshon Green, Savannah Meeker, Heaven Rabb, Maria Yeni Murillo Tristancho. Not pictures: Devon Baxter, Carson Blythe, Estrella Ayon Caledron, Skylar Chavarin, Luke Ferguson, Lilliana Marie Martinez, Chase Coy Parker. (Photo by Rich Keen, Marketing & Communications Dept.)

Blue Ridge Honors Graduates of Adult High School and High School Equivalency Programs in Dec. 6 Ceremony

Published December 7, 2023

Featured photo: Adult High School and High School Equivalency graduates. Front row, left to right: Xavier Jimenez, Esly Raquel Herrera Amador, Kallista Waddle, Precious Faith Cunningham, Irene Garcia Espino, Kharla Pamela Mazariegos Ardon, Maria de Lourdes Angel Lopez, Erika Lizbeth Barragan Velazquez. Back row, left to right: Nathan Regan, Cody Brock, Noe Calderon, Tayshon Green, Savannah Meeker, Heaven Rabb, Maria Yeni Murillo Tristancho. Not pictures: Devon Baxter, Carson Blythe, Estrella Ayon Caledron, Skylar Chavarin, Luke Ferguson, Lilliana Marie Martinez, Chase Coy Parker. (Photo by Rich Keen, Marketing & Communications Dept.)

Marketing & Communications Dept.

Blue Ridge Community College hosted a graduation ceremony for graduates of the Adult High School and High School Equivalency programs on December 6 in the Bo Thomas Auditorium on the Henderson County Campus.

The Adult High School (AHS) program prepares students for higher education and the workforce by helping them complete their high school diploma. The program is offered on a web-based platform with instructor guidance and support. The High School Equivalency (HSE) program prepares students to earn a North Carolina Community College High School Equivalency Diploma by passing the ETS HiSET or Pearson VUE GED tests. Subjects covered include reading, writing, math, social studies, and science.

Blue Ridge President Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood welcomed the graduates to the special event.

“Thank you for entrusting Blue Ridge Community College to help you reach this monumental day,” she said. “I want to acknowledge that you are here because of your determination, as well as the invaluable support of your instructors, friends, and families.”

The first speaker, High School Equivalency graduate Kallista Waddle, shared congratulations to her fellow graduates. The Keynote Address was given by Dr. Katherine R. B. Greysen, communication studies professor at Haywood Community College. Dean Robin Paulison then performed the presentation of graduates. Diplomas were conferred by President Leatherwood, and Vice President for Instruction Kathy C. Allen provided closing remarks and congratulations to the graduates and their families.

The full list of graduates included:

High School Equivalency
Angel Lopez, Maria de Lourdes

Barragan Velazquez, Erika Lizbeth

Baxter, Devon

Blythe, Carson

Brock, Cody

Calderon Ayon, Estrella

Calderon, Noe

Chavarin, Skylar

Cunningham, Precious Faith

Ferguson, Luke

Garcia Espino, Irene

Green, Tayshon

Herrera Amador, Esly Raquel

Jimenez, Xavier

Martinez, Lilliana Marie

Mazariegos Ardon, Kharla Pamela

Meeker, Savannah

Murillo Tristancho, Maria Yeni

Parker, Chase Coy

Rabb, Heaven

Regan, Nathan

Waddle, Kallista

Adult High School

Quinn, Asher Merris