So I got a standing ovation.

The commencement speech went well, even though I was literally shaking from anxiety. I didn't mess up the delivery, I was able to maintain at least *some* eye contact with the crowd, and I the crowd leapt to its feet and thundered applause when I was finish. I sincerely hope they weren't clapping because it was finally over. :D

I had hopes to spend some time quietly fading into the background at the reception afterward, but alas, I found myself the center of attention. I was waylaid and detained by the local newspaper reporter, the head of the State Board of Education, the County School Supervisor, the head of the GED association in West Virginia, and several Political Science professors from West Virginia University that were HIGHLY impressed with my speech. I think it was the Thomas Paine quote that caught their attention, because they all surrounded me and starting pelting me with questions; "Are you going to college? Where? What are you majoring in? Political Science?!?! Young lady, I personally promise to do everything in my power to see that you get yourself some scholarship money. Call my office. Drop me an e-mail! Let's do lunch. Have you met Dr. DiClerico, the head of our Poli-Sci department? You should definitely meet him. Let me call Senator Byrd's office and see if we can get some more scholarship information for you!"

:rofl:

I am NOT used to being the center of attention, and when the crowd let me go, I fairly fled from the room to go home and collapse for a while. There's an extremely complimentary article about me in the local newspaper today, along with a highly unflattering photograph. They used a quote from my speech as the headline for the article, which makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

So it was a good day! But I'm glad that part is over. It might have come along 10 years later than I expected it to, but I finally graduated high school at the tip-top of my class. Now to conquer college!

enjoy it.
and take all the scholarship money you can!

I have no idea how to go about finding scholarships, but I seem to have a volunteer posse of rather important people who want to help, so hopefully that will give me an advantage. :)

SO proud of you....I knew you could do it. :hug:

My kindergarten teacher!! Can you believe that?! My Mom called her up and invited her as a surprise for me.

She told me "I was there when you started down this road, and I'm proud to be here at the finish"

I cried like a baby. :cry:

:bounce:

You deserve all the best, and more :hug:

that is quite an accomplishment! Well done! :party:

:applause: :applause: :applause:
It sounds like it was a great graduation ceremony with lots of encouragement for you. As for college - YOU CAN DO IT. I have a friend who took a similar detour before finishing high school and now she has a PhD and is a professor at a state university. The GED was just that first important step for her too.

Remember your post last week (or so) about your

concern over the upcoming speech. Sounds like you

wowed 'em. Good luck on the scholarship search.

for you. What a wonderful story. Thank you.

:headbang:

always great to hear of a victory...

is subscription-only. (the site is www.dominionpost.com)

However, here's an excerpt from the article in the print version. (I'm Brandy, by the way!)

'Road ends here tonight' for grads
140 adult students open doors by earning GEDs from MTEC

by Mark Patrick Grandstaff

About 30 adult students donned cap and gown Thursday to participate in an act of defiance. The students, receiving their general-education diplomas in a ceremony at South Middle School auditorium, were part of a class of more than 140 students who passed the general-education development test in Monongalia County.

Each of the students, said fellow graduate and keynote speaker Brandy H*****, made a conscious and deliberate decision to earn their GEDs and throw open doors that would have otherwise remained closed to them. "We didn't pursue our diplomas because we were required to do so," H***** said. "We took it upon ourselves to start down the road that ends here tonight, knowing full well that it wouldn't be easy."

Free time came rarely for H*****. She juggled a job, her studies, and the upbringing of her son Brendan, who attends ***** Elementary School. "I was supposed to graduate 10 years ago," said H*****, 27. "Life interfered."

H*****does not plan to lose any of her momentum after graduation. She will spend the summer researching scholarships; she plans to study political science in college. (...)

The audience stood to cheer the graduates as they received their diplomas. They gave H*****'s speech, the first she had ever made to a large group, a standing ovation. (...)

(from the list of awards at the bottom)

Academic Excellence Award (for achieving a score on the general education development test that ranks her in the top one percent of graduating Seniors in the U.S.)-- Brandy H*****

Way to go!

MArshall???

Never!!! :rofl:

I'm going to WVU, the only *good* college in the state. ;)

:hug:
You are such an inspiration! Congrats!
:toast::toast::toast:

Congratulations, octoberain! I admire your drive and courage. Great job!

:hug:

Sounds like a terrific day---congrats!---and one of many to come.

:thumbsup:

:hi:

-Drum, a former WVU-er

I'm sure you will look back on this day very fondly, even though it seemed like a total rush today.

You should be very happy and proud.

:hug:


:toast: to an amazing future.

You're a terrific role model for your son.

:) congratulations to you!!!!
:yourock:

:applause: Well done! :thumbsup: :yourock:

:applause:

Way to go, oktoberain! :bounce: :toast: :bounce:

Congratulations! Definitely something to be proud of. :D