VIDEO: Dozens Of Students Achieve An Important Milestone By Walking Across Stage And Receiving Their Diplomas

MAYHEW, Miss. (WCBI)-Thursday was a momentous day for a group of students in the East Mississippi Community College Adult Education Program. It was their graduation today.

More than a dozen students walked across the stage to receive their GED.

“It feels amazing,” said Justin Swift, who received his GED on Thursday.

Swift said receiving his diploma is something he’s always wanted to do.

However his journey to accomplish that goal wasn’t always easy. He had a few obstacles to overcome.

“I dropped out in 10th grade,” he said. “I feel like it wasn’t for me.”

Prior to dropping out Swift attended West Point High School.

Although he dropped out, Swift always knew he wanted more for himself.

Then one day, he heard about the adult education program at EMCC.

“I gave up on school but I didn’t give up on life though,” said Swift. “I heard of a manufacturing course so I went to it.”

 
Swift along with other students looking to further their education entered into the program, including Justin Harris.

 
“I just had to do something because getting on the bus every morning, it wasn’t working out,” said Justin Harris, who also received his GED on Thursday.

“He struggled through life,” said Cassandra Gillespie, Harris’ mom. “In and out of school, put off the bus, and things like that, it was rough on him.”

The two men worked tirelessly in pursuit of their diploma.

“If you don’t have your diploma, the GED is the next best thing,” said Gillespie. “It’s never too late or too old to further your education, because now in days you need education to accomplish a lot of things in life.”

As the two men stood up in their cap and gown, anxiously awaiting to hear their name called so they can walk on stage to receive their diploma, they took time to reflect on all of the hard work that it took for them to reach this milestone.

“I achieved a goal,” said Swift. “I did it. I said I was going to do it and I did it.”

“I feel good, this is deep,” Harris expressed.

“He got his diploma today, and he also got his CPR, he got his work keys test, and less he got his manufacturing skills test too,” said Gillespie. “So he has three diplomas tonight.”