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RAYMOND – �²��� recognized 82 Adult Basic Education students who received their High School Equivalency credentials for 2023-24 at a June 18 ceremony held in Cain-Cochran Hall on the Raymond Campus.

Adult students from various backgrounds and ages access the HSE services at �²��� and have the opportunity to transition into college or technical training. For many of these adult students, the HSE is an achievement that not only marks where they’ve been, but is an indicator of what they are doing next.

In his opening remarks to the HSE graduating class, �²��� President Dr. Stephen Vacik shared with the students the importance of the moment.

“This achievement is a milestone in your life. This credential is a mile marker that will help you move into your future,” Dr. Vacik said. “It’s a new beginning.”

That idea of a milestone resonates with Tanna Mitchell, 54, of Clinton, originally of McComb. She was with her 17-year-old daughter Karen Karrington, who participated in the ceremony, and husband George Mitchell. Mitchell is an HSE recipient but she didn’t walk in the ceremony so she could focus on daughter Karen.

“But, in the beginning of all this, I had to first confess to her that I’d never actually gotten my GED,” Mitchell said. Mitchell has had success for years as a technician and then as a supervisor at Nissan Canton Vehicle Assembly Plant. In 2017 she started a new career as a professional bail agent.

“We went into the program together on the Raymond Campus. My daughter said she wasn’t going to do it unless I did it also. I’m so glad I did. Even though I’m not walking with her today- I wanted this to be all about her graduation- I’m proud of her, but I am proud of myself, too. I know it means the world to her to graduate and to see me finish, but it means a hundred-fold to me that I did this with my daughter,” Mitchell said.

Karrington is still deciding on her life after high school studies, more school or better work? And like their classmate Parker Linston, 20, of Tupelo, who is undecided, too, said after getting his HSE he feels more confident about his future.

“I feel like it’s something I should have already done, so it’s a nice feeling for me to be accomplishing this today,” Linston said.

�²��� offers Adult Basic Education and High School Equivalency testing services for adult learners. With the help of community partners, federal and state dollars and volunteers these services are offered at no cost to nearly 1000 adult learners at six �²��� locations in the central Mississippi area.

Program Director of Adult Education Tiffany Taylor said there were 82 people from the ABE classes who received their HSE at �²��� for 2023-24, and 61 of those recipients participated in the ceremony.

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�²��� offers affordable, comprehensive educational opportunities across six campus locations and has nearly 500 academic classes guaranteed to transfer to a university, over 65 career and technical program options and online courses. Applications for general admissions are currently being accepted. Prospective students are encouraged to apply and explore enrollment steps at hindscc.edu/enroll.

Our Mission: �²��� is committed to moving people and communities forward by helping develop their purpose, passion and profession.

Our Vision: �²��� will be a catalyst to create a competitive economy and a compelling culture for Mississippi.

Our Values: �²��� aspires to the following IDEALS: Integrity, Diversity, Excellence, Accountability, Leadership, Stewardship.

To learn more, visit /workforce/abe-hse or call 1.800.�²���CC.