What a day. overflowing with beauty and gratitude! 40 students participated in the graduation ceremony, which we co-sponsored with our partners at Greenfield Community College, in a tent big enough to hold a circus!
The program was chock full of speakers! Dr. Kate Devlin and Interim President Rick Hopper gave a warm welcome from GCC. TLP’s Executive Director Judith Roberts gave an enthusiastic vote of confidence to all of the graduates. Representative Susannah Whipps thanked the graduates for investing in themselves and their skills, because “we need you” to replace the retiring baby boomers. Massachusetts Adult Education Director Wyvonne Stevens-Carter had the graduates on their feet, cheering for themselves and their communities of support. And the student speakers (Joe Lubold, Debbie Gonzalez, Shirley Betances, Missy Levesque, and Hipolito Fuller) had many of us in tears, as they made beautiful tributes to their teachers, their families and each other for helping make this dream come true.
Like our students, we at The Literacy Project are overflowing with gratitude for the many people who made this event possible! First, a heartfelt thank you to our generous community supporters, including:
- Adult & Community Learning Services of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
- Bete Family Foundation
- Cohn & Company Real Estate
- Community Development Block Grants for Amherst, Northampton, Greenfield, Orange and Ware
- Deerfield Academy
- Emblem Club of Greenfield
- Franklin First Credit Union
- United Way of Franklin & Hampshire Region
The event was carefully planned by Kate Devlin of GCC and Judith Roberts, Janet Gary, and Margaret Anderson of TLP. Thanks to the planners for making the event so successful!
TLP’s Janet Gary and GCC’s Kate Devlin check their lists as they await the graduates under the tent.
Thanks to all of the TLP and GCC volunteers and staff who showed up to help make the event run smoothly. Special thanks to TLP volunteer Madeleine Gens, who made boutonnieres for all of the graduates and baked dozens of cupcakes to help us celebrate!
Thanks to photographer Paul Shoul for capturing the spirit of this joyful event. The full set of photos is still to come. For now, here are a few to help you picture the event.
TLP Instructor Elizabeth (Beth) Byrne and her new graduates, Christine and Debbie.
TLP graduate Jayden Bruce, photographed by Paul Shoul
TLP graduate Debbie Gonzalez, who delivered a powerful graduation speech
Family and friends celebrated the graduates with standing ovations!