St. Charles Community College (SCC) was proud to have its Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) Student Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, June 3. The ceremony honored students who earned their High School Equivalency (HSE) credential and completed the Integrated Education and Training program.
Integrated Education and Training graduate Thea Hembrador and High School Equivalency
graduate Nicole Renee Byrley addressed the crowd of students and family members.
Hembrador spoke about her journey from the Philippines to SCC and how education has
helped her pursue a future focused on helping others achieve their goals. She reflected
on the opportunities she found at SCC, saying, “At SCC, countless doors have unlocked
and have shown me illuminated paths for me to reach my goals.”
Hembrador earned certifications as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional, but
said she gained much more than that during her time at SCC. “SCC did not just give
me an education; it gave me a home, a family, and a better future ahead of me,” she
said.
Byrley left high school to care for her child at age 15 and later became a mother
of four. After overcoming addiction and celebrating five years of sobriety, she achieved
an important goal by earning her High School Equivalency credential. Byrley addressed
the crowd, “I stand up here, graduating with my high school equivalency diploma, which
is one thing I’ve always wanted to accomplish. I didn’t care how long it would take
me or how old I was, because me standing up here is proof that if you want it bad
enough you can do it.”
She defied all odds to make her dream of being a high school graduate a reality. Byrley
described her time at SCC as "one of my favorite memories and one I will carry with
me forever".
This year, SCC's Adult Education and Literacy program served 670 students from 70
countries. The program offers non-credit English as a Second Language (ESL), citizenship,
HSE, literacy, and integrated training programs. Instructors help adult students become
proficient in English and math, which prepares them for a high school equivalency
test (HiSET®️ or GED®️), college, or the workforce.
To find photos from the event visit the portal here.
For more information about SCC’s Adult Education and Literacy program, call 636-922-8411.