CVCC honors 2018 Adult Basic Education Academy Graduates

By Mary Reynolds, PIO CVCC

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Catawba Valley Community College’s Adult Basic Education program recently honored students who completed the Two-Year Adult Basic Education Academy at a graduation ceremony held in their honor.

Graduates recognized during the ceremony include Maegan Ammons, Taylorsville; Jasmine Barker, Newton; Ben Bazzle, Hickory; Curtis Carpenter, Taylorsville; Bradley Carrigan, Taylorsville; Rekeil Clark, Taylorsville; Tamaria Cooper-Holloway, Newton; Jessica Dickerson, Newton; Jessica Driscoll, Hickory; Jatana Elder, Taylorsville; Jessica Elmore, Taylorsville; Mark Glover, Conover; Jennifer Hall, Hickory; Virginia Harbin, Taylorsville; Rusty Hastings, Claremont; Tiffany Hayes, Taylorsville; Kerri Hopke, Taylorsville; Myriah Huber, Newton; Malcolm Linebarger, Hickory; Danielle Martinez, Maiden; Thomas Medlock, Hickory; Ashley Milligan, Hickory; John Neal, Hickory; Laire Overton, Newton; Steven Painchaud, Hickory; and Anna Powell, Hickory.

The Adult Basic Education Academy is a literacy-based vocational training program that prepares adults who function below the high school level to enter into the workforce. Graduates complete an intensive 97-week program that focuses on reading, writing, math, communication and technology. Students engage in career exploration and receive soft skills training while attending 15 -20 class hours weekly. They research and discuss career opportunities, prepare group projects and presentations, simulate retail store and manufacturing operations and many other workplace skills.

Some students have obtained their first ever public job during the course of the program. Many have advanced in current part-time jobs, and some have been offered full-time employment or an increase in part-time hours. Some students have transitioned into the Catawba Valley Furniture Academy and received employment offers from furniture manufacturers.

For more information about ABE Academy, contact Adult Basic Education Coordinator Vickie Vinson, vvinson@cvcc.edu, 828.327.7000, ext. 4353.