GED graduates at the Cochise College Sierra Vista Campus during the 2017 GED Recognition Ceremony
It was a night of new beginnings this Thursday at the Sierra Vista Campus when thirty-nine students were recognized for successfully completing the Adult Education Program at Cochise College.
Students filed down the room dressed in caps and gowns. Families, friends and loved ones watched in a packed community room, as each student was awarded their GED Certificate.
For many GED students, this was a second chance leading to a new start. For Yvonne Martin, a “professional mom” of three, army wife and native from Germany, earning her GED was a way to continue her career in the states.
Martin’s educational background has been quite a journey. The GED student followed her soon-to-be-husband when he was transferred by the Army from Germany to Fort Huachuca. Martin was married in Sierra Vista only to find out that her high school diploma, which she earned in Germany, did not meet the requirements of an American high school diploma, leaving her without many employment options.
“They told me that my German certifications were not enough because in Germany you can graduate after the 9th grade. That is why I got started with the GED program,” she said.
Martin started the Adult Education Program at Cochise College in January of 2016 and finished in December of 2016.
“What upsets me now is that I waited so long. We moved here in December of 2010 and if I would have known how easy and painless it really is to pass the GED, I would have done it way earlier. What really scared me was not being in school for twenty years, but the teachers at Cochise College took the time to explain things. The teachers were great about stopping and helping me to understand. At times, other students would try to help explain as well,” she said.
Martin hopes to continue her education and earn her Business Administrative Certificate at Cochise College and eventually start a nonprofit that supports army spouses and children with PTSD and other mental illnesses.
“There is currently a program around here called Soldier’s Best Friends. They take a shelter dog and train the dog for veterans with PTSD or whatever else they have. There isn’t any program like that for children. Our daughter was diagnosed with PTSD and she could really benefit from a service dog who warns her if someone comes up behind her because she has severe anxiety. Many families do not have thousands of dollars so I think this would help many families. I’m really excited because this will help make a difference in the community.”
Cochise College Adult Education helps adult learners acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to enter the workforce or postsecondary education. Our focus areas are academics, technology, and communication. Classes provide instruction for foundational skill building, high school equivalency test preparation, or English language acquisition for non-native speakers in job and college contexts.