EAST LIVERPOOL –Eastern Ohio Aspire celebrated another graduating class as they set out to meet their futures, equipped with the tools to succeed.
Graduates who have earned their high school equivalency diplomas gathered July 10 at the New Castle School of Trades, host to one of Aspire’s classroom sites, and received their certificates of achievement.
Funded by the Aspire grant through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and operated through the Jefferson County Educational Service Center, Eastern Ohio Aspire offers adult educational services and assists with high school equivalency diplomas as well as offering services for English speakers of other languages, integrated education and training, correctional education, distance learning, and workplace and family literacy. Eastern Ohio Aspire covers Mahoning, Jefferson, Belmont, Harrison, Carroll and Columbiana Counties.
The graduation was an emotional time, with family members in attendance to cheer their loved ones. Aspire educators were also excited to see the people they have worked with reaching this milestone.
Aspire Executive Director Jeremy Miller addressed the graduates, saying this was only the beginning for them. As adults, each faced their own set of challenges in balancing their responsibilities with their studies. Miller commended them for the courage to make the choice of pursuing education, and they knew Aspire’s personnel would be there for them every step of the way.
Eastern Ohio Aspire had close to 30 graduates since last July, added to a list of hundreds in the six counties who have made the most of the program these past years.
“You really are shining examples of why this program exists,” he said.
“Your time in this program has been a journey of discovery, growth and transformation,” he said. “You not only gained knowledge, but skills that will serve you well for your future. As you step forward into the world, remember: education is a powerful tool. It opens doors and provides you with the ability to shape your own destiny.”
The world awaited their contributions. Miller encouraged them to embrace the opportunities that come their way.
One of the graduates was Adriana Dominguez of Steubenville, who took the stage and gave remarks. She said Aspire was invested in her success.
“The staff, with the classes that I attended in the evening were very helpful, very understanding, very flexible and that was something that only made me continue going for those classes so I could prep for the GED,” she said prior to the ceremony.
She was excited for the big day.
“It’s an experience that I missed out when I was supposed to have it, back when I was 19 or 18 years old, but I get to experience it today.”
During her talk, Dominguez said courage and vulnerability defined her experience. Adults in the program should not be afraid to speak up and ask for help, as she turned to her family and Aspire personnel.
“Let others know what you’re doing. Don’t be ashamed,” she said. She recalled the George Eliot quote: “It is never too late to be what you might have been.”
She has enrolled at Youngstown State University’s Steubenville campus and will pursue a MedicalAssistant certification to earn an associate degree and become a radiology technician.
Another graduate was Malachi Fisher of Youngstown, who will go into construction.
“I got into Aspire because we found the program and just decided to pursue with education,” he said. He added the he could rely on the instructors to help make this dream a reality. “They helped me pretty well.”
Miller also shared a note he received commending graduate Desiree Applegarth of St. Clairsville, who combined her skills with a caring nature and has gone above and beyond in her duties working at the Park Health Center in St. Clairsville, demonstrating how graduates go on to touch others’ lives.
Miller said he was proud for the opportunity to work with the learners and the devoted Aspire staff.
Afterward, he said with the full support of JCESC, Aspire has expanded its reach to help those who want to further their education but who face different challenges. The program is now active in the Eastern Ohio Correction Center to teach life skills and job readiness. Aspire is also partnering with organization such as Flying High in Youngstown to assist people coming out of recovery to broaden their horizons.
“We don’t just help individuals that need a high school equivalency to take the GED test,” he said “This program is centrally important to so many individuals.”
Aspire has now completed its second full year under the auspices of JCESC. Miller reviewed the program’s highlights.
“We met all of our benchmarks, which is amazing,” he said.
“We keep striving to do better each year,” he said. “We’re still here to serve students in all six counties. We’ve expanded our offerings in the correctional center to offer job readiness skills, workplace literacy and financial literacy.”
They are also grateful for the community partners that recognized the value of Aspire. The initial move to JCESC meant reestablishing office space, and organizations such as the school of trades opened their doors to offer classrooms.
“It’s been a wonderful opportunity. We have similar partners in every county that we work with.”
Earning high school equivalency credentials is an accomplishment. Miller added that the test is not easy.
“They have to do a lot of preparation work. They’re the ones who put in all the effort. We’re here to support them, but the graduates are the ones who deserve all the accolades because they put forth the grit and the hard work,” he said. “We’re student-focused. We meet the students where they’re at. It’s a pleasure to see this. This is the culmination of what we do.”
Eastern Ohio Aspire can be reached at aspire@jcesc.org. The web page is https://www.jcesc.k12.oh.us/EasternOhioASPIRE.aspx.
