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Martinsville, Virginia 24115
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Tuesday, October 20, 2009
By ELIZA WINSTON - Bulletin Staff Writer
Several local residents who want to earn GEDs heard motivational speakers and learned about a chance to earn the general equivalency diplomas for free on Monday during a GED Week kick-off event.
More than 20 people gathered at the West Piedmont Workforce Investment Board office to learn about earning a GED, which is the equivalent of a high school diploma. Gov. Tim Kaine has declared Oct. 19-23 as GED week in the state, and the event was one of several GED Week Celebration Kick-offs held throughout the region.
During GED week, 20 people may qualify for a free GED test, which normally costs $45 dollars, said Lynn Fitzgibbons of the Henry County Adult Learning Center. Those eligible have to be older than 18 and cannot be enrolled in a public school.
The free tests will be offered until the 20 available spots are filled, but they are filling up quickly, Fitzgibbons said.
West Piedmont Regional Adult Education has centers in Franklin County, Henry County, Martinsville, Patrick County and Pittsylvania County. People interested in qualifying for a free test can call the nearest adult learning center.
Classes toward earning a GED always are offered free at the Henry County Adult Learning Center, Fitzgibbons said. Henry County teachers donate their time there, she said. Those who want to take the test can prepare for free and only have to pay the $45 testing fee.
During the kick-off event, Amanda Witt, president of the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the Business IQ Program, which is sponsored by the Workforce Investment Board. The Business IQ Program, Witt said, allows employees at certain businesses to receive free GED training and testing.
Many businesses in the area participate, Witt said. In addition to free classes and testing, the Business IQ Program offers another incentive: Through the Workforce Investment Board, she said, $100 is offered to everyone who successfully completes the test, and Witt said the companies normally match that.
Aside from earning $200 and a GED certificate, participants can begin a career.
Rebecca Motley of the Golden Living Center spoke about what that degree has brought her employees. Even those who failed a test, she said, were not discouraged — they just tried again. Teachers who participate are extremely patient and encouraging, Motley said.
Several speakers at the event told their stories of obtaining a GED and the change it brought to their lives.
“I quit school and got married,” Joyce Stanley said while speaking to the group. When her job was outsourced, she said, she saw it as an opportunity to get an education.
Stanley said she hoped to get her GED in six months but was able to pass in only three months. Stanley said you have to want to earn a GED for yourself, because “going back to school is not easy.”
Stanley is working toward a business management degree at Patrick Henry Community College, with the goal of owning her own business one day.
Jeff Spencer, another speaker, said he never would have decided to pursue a GED if he had not been laid off at American of Martinsville. In a way, he said, it was the best thing to happen to him.
Spencer also said it is important to want an education for yourself. He said with faith, dedication and determination, a GED can be achieved, even when you feel you are too old.
A GED also can open doors, Spencer said. He said he has four job offers and will choose one once he receives his certificate. Each pays more than he ever thought he would be offered, he said.
At the end of the event, five participants won race tickets, including Stanley. Joan Morrison, Michael Hudson, Daryl Johnson and Erma Turrubiarte also won. Turrubiarte said she was excited about winning race tickets and equally excited to obtain her GED and continue her education. She hopes to get an R.N. license and become a nurse.
To find out about qualification for a free GED test, call Fitzgibbons at 632-6017 in Henry County or the following adult education centers: Franklin County, (540) 483-0179; Martinsville, 403-5466; Patrick County, (276) 694-6542; or Pittsylvania County, (434) 432-9416. |
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