More than 100 adult men and women walked across the stage to receive their GED/HSED diplomas in graduation ceremonies held in their honor.  The graduates from the Social Development Commission (SDC) program, in doing so, took a big step towards a new and brighter future.

103 adults who went back to the classroom at SDC to earn their high school diplomas were enthusiastically congratulated and cheered by family and friends. They overcame the demands of challenges like jobs, health and family to complete the coursework and testing to reach graduation day.

SDC CEO George Hinton told graduates he understood their struggles, noting that he himself had not finished high school but went back years later to earn his GED.  He continued on to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees and eventually became President of Aurora Sinai Medical Center. He asked the graduates if their achievement had been easy and was answered with a loud “No!” He then asked if it was worth it and the reply was an emphatic “Yes!” He encouraged them to continue their efforts to build a better life for themselves and their families.

For many of the graduates, the day was the realization of a big step in their plans to create a new future.  They shared hugs, smiles and tears with friends and relatives and walked away from the ceremony with optimism and hope for tomorrow.

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To learn more about the GED/HSED programs at SDC, visit the website www.cr-sdc.org/index/Programs–Services/Education–Training/Basic-Skills.htm.  To view photos of the graduation and celebration, visit www.cr-sdc.org/DefaultFilePile/NewsReleases/2012/NYCUGEDGraduationPhotoLook12-20-13w.pdf.