30 Graduate From 2018 Career Online High School

The Jacksonville Public Library’s Center for Adult Learning hosted the third annual Career Online High School Graduation Ceremony, September 26, 2018.  Of the 30 students who completed the rigorous coursework year 2018, 14 graduates attended the ceremony and walked in cap and gown across the stage of the Hicks Auditorium at the Main Library to accept congratulations and a Certificate of Achievement to honor their success.

Director Tim Rogers (above) emceed the event and Library Board Chair Ronnie King addressed the graduates.  Several State dignitaries attended to honor the graduates’ accomplishments.   Family members and friends had many positive things to share regarding the wonderful opportunity made available by the Career Online High School through the Jacksonville Public Library.  (Thanks to Tammy Owens, Program Supervisor, Smart Horizons COHS Program Manager, Center for Adult Learning for the article and pic.) 

2018 High School Graduation of CAL's GED Students

Library Director Tim Rogers welcomed graduates, families, friends and special guests to the 2018 GED high school graduation in the Main Library auditorium, Tuesday evening, May 1.  The event was hosted by the Center for Adult Learning, headed by CAL Literacy Program Manager Katie Devanny.

Twelve graduates crossed the stage to start a new chapter in their lives. The students' ages ranged from 19 - 61, proving you are never too old or young to achieve your goal.

                           2018 GED grad Maria Threat addresses audience.

Maria Threat and the keynote speaker, Greg Gaines, were on the same page, talking to the graduates about overcoming their fears. Ms. Devanny said, "CAL’s staff, especially the GED instructors, are extremely proud of the students and their accomplishments."  

Board Chair Ronnie King and Director Tim Rogers shook each graduate's hand after Katie Devanny presented a high school diploma to each graduate.  Then Mr. King congratulated the graduates and invited everyone to stay for refreshments.  

According to the Florida Department of Education, Florida's high school graduation rates have risen steadily over the past few years and is now at 82.3%.  The not-so-good news, as reported by U. S. News & World Report Best States is that Florida ranks 40th in high school graduation rates.

(Thanks to Katie Devanny for the input and pictures.)

GED Grads Celebrate

Interim Director Jennifer Giltrop (far right) and CAL Program Manager Katie Devanny were cheering the happy high school graduates at Main, August 23, 2017, and Katie proudly reports, "The first JPL GED Graduation ceremony was held and eleven of the 20 graduates walked across the stage and received a certificate of achievement from JPL. (The students already had their high school diploma from the State of Florida.)  Al Emerick, the keynote speaker, delivered a great message on 'their value' to the graduates. Ja’Markis Daniels, the student speaker and new EWC student, shared his story."  See more inspiring pictures:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cityofjax/albums/72157685460267490

FIRST Grads of Career Online High School In FL Walk At JPL

Director Barbara Gubbin &;Howard Liebman, Ph.D, congratulate six of nine graduates.

Katie Devanny, Program Manager for the Center for Adult Learning reports, "On September 28, 2016, six adults crossed JPL's Hicks Auditorium to receive the first of many to come Career Online High School diplomas. The graduates were awarded scholarships through the Jacksonville Public Library to attend Smart Horizons: Career Online High School. The graduation ceremony is the first for JPL and the first library in the state of Florida!  (JPL was one of the original eleven libraries in Florida selected by the State to offer COHS.)

"Six of the students (three could not attend), who graduated are pictured above. They are L/R: Tywanda Sheffield, Kenneth Moore, Nano Malilho, Khadjah Dunnam, Jolessa Davis, and Yosef Avraham.  Yosef  (below) was the student speaker.

"Kate Stewart (right) was the keynote speaker for JPL's inaugural graduation.  Ms. Stewart is the Cofounder and Executive Director of the non-profit JaxCoE-Jacksonville Community of Entrepreneurs. She has an extensive background in risk management, education, culture studies, and entrepreneurship. Ms. Stewart has founded several companies. She is an instructor for the Army's Foreign Military and Culture Studies. She knows first-hand about the value of education, as well the hard work and determination needed to succeed. Her pitch is 'It is never too late to pursue your dreams.' She shared this philosophy with the graduates and challenged each of them to listen to the narratives in their lives and where it is taking them.  

"JPL was honored to have Amy Johnson, State Librarian, Dr. Charles Moreland, Director of Community Affairs for COJ, and Dr. Howard Leibman, Cofounder and CEO of Smart Horizons Career Online High School, as guest speakers at the graduation.

"To date JPL has awarded 63 scholarships, and Tammy Owens, Literacy Program Supervisor, interviews each potential candidate before awarding a scholarship.

                                          Katie Devanny with some of the graduates.

"The Center for Adult Learning manages COHS, however, we know that it is a system wide effort to promote the program. Thank you for sharing the information with your customers, and a special thank you to Karen Walker and Luis Terron for creating JPL's tassel bling: a great keepsake for the graduates."