The Clarendon County Adult Education program held a moving commencement ceremony at the Manning United Methodist Church on December 17, celebrating the achievements of 33 dedicated graduates who overcame significant obstacles to earn their high school diplomas or GEDs. The ceremony, filled with inspiration and heartfelt tributes, showcased not only the academic accomplishments of the graduates but also the support and encouragement from their families, the adult education staff, and the community.
Lara Kolb, the Director of Adult Education, welcomed the crowd, acknowledging the hard work of the graduates. “It was important enough that during this busy season of all the Christmas parties, of all the things that are going on, that they chose to be here with us tonight,” Kolb said, addressing the large crowd with great enthusiasm. “I am so proud of this class.”
Throughout the ceremony, the families of the graduates were filled with a profound sense of accomplishment, cheering and supporting their loved ones as they crossed the stage. In particular, Fannie McCoy’s story stood out. McCoy, 67, a mother and grandmother, became the symbol of resilience and perseverance. Her journey to earning her high school diploma was not easy, but it was made possible through the support of the adult education staff and her determination.
Standing before a packed room, McCoy reflected on her path to graduation. “It was a hard journey, but God and the whole staff helped me to accomplish my vision,” McCoy said, visibly emotional. “I am so thankful for their support. There was a lot of distraction, but I stayed focused on the purpose, in my view. I made a lot of bad decisions that took me so long to get my high school diploma, but thank God,
God gave me another chance.”
Her powerful words resonated with the audience, inspiring others who might be on a similar journey. “Mission has been accomplished,” McCoy declared, her voice filled with pride.
In his address to the graduates, keynote speaker Will Lane, owner and operator of Chick-fil-A in Manning, shared a message of excellence and choices. “Each one of you has different gifts. Some folks, some of y’all are inclined musically, some are inclined mathematically, some are inclined artistically, some are relationally, verbally,” Lane said, urging the graduates to use their time wisely. “The main gift that all of us have every day, regardless of who we are, is the gift of time. What do you do with that? How do you spend your time?”
Lane’s message, focused on using education to maximize potential, resonated deeply with the graduates. “The education that you just received, the degree that you’re going to get tonight, it’s worthless if you don’t use it,” Lane said. “But if you use it, it’s priceless. But if you don’t, what was the point?”
The evening was filled with special recognitions, including the announcement of National Career Readiness Certificate earners and inductees into the National Adult Education Honor Society. These honors were reserved for students who showed exceptional dedication and achievement in their studies. The graduates recognized for their academic excellence included those earning silver, gold, and bronze certificates, as well as a GED graduate with distinction designation.
Lara Kolb emphasized the hard work put in by both students and staff. “Adult education is a very busy place. This year we have students from Clarendon, Sumter, Florence, Williamsburg, Orangeburg, Darlington. We do everything from wind testing certificates to GED readiness, deadlines, soft skills, career day programs, and we have nine classes in four different locations. Our graduates take advantage of everything we have to offer,” Kolb said, highlighting the extensive efforts and challenges faced by the staff and students alike in achieving success.
The graduates’ accomplishments were celebrated individually during the ceremony, as each name was called, and they received their diploma portfolios. The recognition of the 33 graduates was a highlight of the evening, as they each walked across the stage, beaming with pride.
The graduates of the Class of 2024 include: Katie Alford, Jacob Atkinson, Christian Markle, Octavia McBride, Camden Barrineau, Emily McCoy, Kelvin Black, Fannie McCoy, Lavonne Briggs, Raekwon McCutcheon, Anna Bunting, Joseph Moore, Wilnayshia Bynes, Lakeila Nelson, Diamond Ellis, Parker Owens, Shirl Epps, Janiah Patterson, Bridget Holden, Monica Rhodes, Lacie Turner-Hyman, Amber Scott, Kirsten Lee, Derrick Scott, Perliss Lee III, Andre Stewart, Maricel Levendakes, Hailey Lindsay, Mary Elizabeth Stives, Lila Lovin, Juanita Strickland, Toni Lynch, and Eric Wilkes.
As each graduate crossed the stage, family members proudly took photos, ensuring the memories of this milestone would last a lifetime. Following the ceremony, graduates and their families gathered for a reception in the MUMC fellowship hall, where they celebrated their hard-earned achievements.
The evening was a testament to the hard work, perseverance, and support that have been the foundation of Clarendon County’s Adult Education program. With dedicated staff, a caring community, and the determination of the graduates, the Class of 2024 will undoubtedly continue to achieve great things in the future.
