(GARDNER)– Over four hundred friends and family members looked on as 72 graduates received GED diplomas and heard stories of GED success stories at the 17^th annual GED graduation at Mount Wachusett Community College, Sat., June 25. 

Dean of Continuing Education Stuart Shuman, as his last official duty after twenty years of service to the college, congratulated the graduates on choosing to make education a priority.  "At some time in your life, you decided to give up on your education, for a variety of reasons: relationships, family– but, for whatever reason, you all decided to change that and you chose to find success.

2002 GED graduate Muriel Valliere, of Gardner, put off high school 45 years ago to go to work.  After raising five children she dreamed of obtaining her GED.  "No matter how big or small your dream may be or how old or young you are, chase your dreams because dreams do come true," she advised her fellow graduates.

Also addressing the graduates was MWCC Student Trustee and 2002 graduate Heather Barclay of Royalston.  Barclay is a 1999 GED graduate and just completed the academically rigorous MWCC Honors Program. "Each and every GED student, regardless of how or why they were at the GED center, represents a success story Ð if only because they have the courage and good sense to walk through the door that first time,"

Two graduates, Heidi-Jo Hanson Moore of Ashburnham and Pamela Waterman of Leominster, received the President's Award for Academic Excellence.  This scholarship provides two courses through the College's Division of Continuing Education and a cash award of $200.