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SCHOOL NEWS FOR
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2001
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Bethel Summer School First Term Winds Down |
Bethel College's Summer Semester first term is winding
down, with less than two weeks remaining. However,
this does not mean you have missed summer school at
Bethel College. Bethel College's Summer Semester
second term gives current and prospective students one
last chance to take some summer courses. The Summer
Semester second term begins Monday, July 9 and ends on
August 3. Undergraduate summer school tuition is $120
per credit hour. The Bethel College dorms are also
open for students during the summer and the cost is
$140 per person, per term.
The second summer term offerings include Human
Biology, Introduction to Operating Systems, Writing
About Literature, Personal Health, The School Health
Program, Aerobics, Beginning and Intermediate
Swimming, The Family and several classes designed for
education majors.
Classes begin at 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m.
and most classes meet for two hours Monday through
Friday.
For more information about becoming a Bethel College
student and registering for summer school at Bethel
College, please call Bethel College Office of
Admissions at 731-352-4030.
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Carroll County G.E.D. Program Graduates 50 |
Graduating members of Carroll County's G.E.D. classes
gathered at the Carroll County Civic Center on Friday,
June 22, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. to celebrate their
graduation with a ceremony before friends and family
members. The students resembled any group of
graduating seniors as they milled about the Civic
Center in their caps and gowns, waiting in nervous
anticipation for the ceremony to begin. A closer look
revealed that the group varied greatly in age, ranging
from 18 to well-seasoned adult.
The students took their places to the tune of Pomp and
Circumstance, a melody that many had heard while
attending the graduations of their own children and
grandchildren in years past. Others had missed hearing
the tune played for them at their own class graduation
last month because they had not passed the TCAP test
that is necessary for graduation. After attending
classes and passing the test, the recent high school
seniors received the same standard high school
graduation diploma that was earned by their peers.
Among the G.E.D. graduates were several unique
relationships including husband and wife team, Ricky
and Robbie Fuzzell; mother and daughter, Shirley and
Tawonna Green; sisters, Glenda Vaughn and Kim Parker;
mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, Susan Mann and
Maranda Westenskow; and grandmother and grandson, Edna
Hall and Josh Chandler.
Teacher, Jimmy Hampton opened the ceremony with prayer
in which he gave thanks to God for helping the
graduates achieve their goal and asked that He
continue to be with them as they plan new goals for
the future.
Mrs. Helen Webb, herself a G.E.D. class member who
expects to meet the requirements for graduation during
the 2001 year, honored graduates and guests with her
strong, inspirational voice as she sang, "I Made It".
Mrs. Webb was dressed in a two-piece ensemble of soft,
deep purple for the occasion. She was accompanied on
the piano by her youngest son, Riley.
Jill Mitchell, daughter of G.E.D. teacher, Karen
Mitchell, read an essay she wrote after watching her
mother in action with her students over time. "If you
have dropped out of school," she counseled, "come get
your G.E.D. - it doesn't matter how old you are."
Volunteers and tutors who assist with the G.E.D.
program were recognized with certificates presented by
VISTA volunteer, Tonona Haynes. Honored were Cheryl
Shell, herself a member of the graduating class; Linda
Smothers; Steve Pope; Russ Carlock, who has tutored
math every Wednesday morning for the many years of the
program; Marie Burzler, who comes in to tutor for an
hour to an hour and a half before going to work in the
mornings; and Pravis Jamison, who entered G.E.D.
classes as a dislocated worker after a factory
shut-down and tutored 20 hours per week.
Civic Center Director, Mike Tolley was gratefully
recognized as being available at any time that his
services are required by the G.E.D. staff.
VISTA worker, Tonona Haynes, was also recognized for
her contributions in fundraising, tutoring and other
activities.
Learner of the year among the graduates was Frances
Adams.
County Executive, Kenny McBride, was the guest speaker
for the evening. He spoke with subdued emotion of a
woman who, in the years before the G.E.D. program
existed, had to suspend her education. She was the
youngest of five children whose father passed away
when she was twelve years old. She worked at various
jobs before settling in at Wilker Brothers Inc., which
was a pajama factory in McKenzie. She married and had
her first child, a boy. When her son was around five
years, she and her husband agreed that she should quit
her job and attend beauty school. At the age of 37,
most of the other girls in class were half her age. In
1965, the couple had their second son. Business went
well, but "something was missing." With her oldest son
in college, she felt it was important to set an
example for her him, and she endeavored to pursue her
G.E.D. In due time, McBride said, "she finished
something she had to stop 30 years earlier."
"You can make a difference in your life and the lives
of others," he stressed, revealing that the woman in
his story, for whom he exhibited so much pride, was
his mother.
"I could not be more proud of each and every one of
you," he said sincerely.
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Students were called upon to receive their diplomas
class by class, with teachers Jimmy Hampton, Karen
Mitchell and Shelia Rogers officiating over their
respective classes along with program supervisor,
Brenda Parish. As students accepted their diplomas,
each was allowed to comment to the audience. With
deep emotion and sincere appreciation, many students
gave thanks to God and family members for their
faith and dedication in helping them remain true to
their goal. Students used words like determination,
willpower, and courage in relating the importance of
obtaining the G.E.D. and the difference it can make
in one's future.
Shirley Green was unable to control her tears as she
and daughter Tawonna ascended the steps together to
claim their diplomas. With easy grace and
confidence, Tawonna announced to the crowd that her
G.E.D. was a step toward realizing her goal of
becoming a doctor.
The crowd was enchanted when mother and
daughter-in-laws Susan Mann and Maranda Westenskow
took the podium: "I love you Granny," came a small,
strong voice in the crowd. "I love you, too," his
grandmother replied through happy tears.
Shelia Rogers and Brenda Parish related the story of
graduate Vanessa Christie who began attending
classes while on vacation in the United States from
her native New Zealand. After attaining her
qualifications for graduation, she returned to New
Zealand where her enhanced education assisted her in
locating employment.
Edna Hall of McKenzie, who graduated with her
grandson, Josh Chandler, says, "My grandson was my
biggest inspiration." When he quit school in order
to fulfill family obligations, he found he needed
the diploma. "Go get your G.E.D.!" his grandmother
counseled. "If you go, I'll go," Josh challenged.
"Oh, Lord, Josh, I've been out 37 years; I'd be the
oldest, dumbest person there."
But go, she did, and when the pair was notified they
had both passed the test, they were ecstatic. "I
proved to myself I could do something I didn't think
I could do," she said happily.
Following the ceremony, guests and graduates enjoyed
cake and punch in the company of friends and family
in further celebration of their new status.
Graduates were: Frances Adams, Crystal Akins,
Samantha Bell, Jeremy Birdwell, Felicia Bitner, Jeff
Brawner, Ray Chamberlain, Josh Chandler, Vanessa
Christie, JoAnn Cook, Cindy Cooley, Carolyn Cozart,
Cathy Cunningham, Amanda Dickerson, Ethel Ellis, Sue
Fowler, Ricky Fuzzell, Lisa Gargus, Shirley Green,
Tawonna Green, Bobby Griffith, Nancy Hagan, Edna
Hall, Wanda Harrison, Gwen Heater, Susan Hollowell,
Beth Hughes, Michelle Isbell, Chris Lambraia,
Virginia Maness, Susan Mann, Phyllis McMullen,
Shirley Milton, Joy Moss, Kathy Norman, Kim Parker,
Tammy Poole, Jean Pounds, Mary Pritchard, Heather
Pyles, Keith Rich, Amanda Rimmer, Tanya Saylor,
Cheryl Shell, Michelle Sims, Glenda Vaughn, Travis
Wambolt, Holly Watson, Maranda Westenskow, and Shana
Worley.
Anyone who is interested in obtaining the G.E.D.
diploma may contact Brenda Parish at 731-986-4841.
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Bethel College Second Early Registration Day is July 14
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The second of the Bethel College Early Registration
Days is fast approaching. Early Registration Days, a
program that helps incoming students, and their
families, make that transition less daunting, are held
on three days this summer. The next day will be July
14 while the final date will be Friday, August 10.
Early registration allows incoming new students the
opportunity to insure their place at Bethel this fall
and enroll in the courses the student wants. Attending
also allows the incoming student and his or her family
the opportunity to experience all that Bethel College
has to offer. Finally, this day will allow the student
and his or her family the chance to finalize
placement, scheduling, housing, financial aid and all
the other procedures that are involved in registering
for college.
Bethel College is the first ThinkPad College in
Tennessee. The ThinkPad College Program, a joint
venture with IBM, provides the entire faculty and
student body with IBM ThinkPads. Bethel, as the first
"IBM ThinkPad College" in the state of Tennessee is
part of an elite group of colleges and universities
that participate in the IBM program. In addition to
receiving notebook computers, Bethel students will
have access to Internet ports throughout the campus,
including all academic buildings and even their dorm
room. Every dorm room at Bethel has an Internet port
for student use.
If you are planning to attend Bethel College this
fall, the July 14 Early Registration Day is your best
chance to get the classes you need at the time you
want them. In order to be eligible for early
registration, contact the Bethel College Admissions
Office at 731-352-4030. Don't wait until the last
minute, call today.
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Quarter Opens At TTC McKenzie |
The Tennessee Technology Center at McKenzie is
scheduled to open its summer 2001 quarter on Thursday,
July 5. Registration for returning students, as well
as,orientation for new students will begin that
morning. Programs available to the new students
include Computer Operations, Business Systems (class
also offered in Dresden), Welding, Auto/CAD,
Industrial Maintenance, and Electronics. Automotive
Technology and Machine Tool still have immediate
openings and the new HVAC class is now forming with
start-up date scheduled for October.
For information about class offerings, enrollment,
financial aid or registration call 352-7506.
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