Harford Community College Holds GED Recognition Ceremony

Photo Credit: Ujen Jonchhe, Harford Community College

Harford Community College held its annual GED Recognition Ceremony on June 8 in the Chesapeake Welcome Center. Fifty-five students earned a Maryland high school diploma in FY26 through Harford’s Adult Literacy program.

Dr. Marc D. Minnick, Interim Director of Adult Development and Literacy and Dean of Business and Applied Technology, opened the ceremony. Dr. Theresa B. Felder, Harford Community College President, welcomed everyone. Jessie P. Thompson, Instructional Specialist, Workforce and Community Education, introduced the keynote speaker. Jenny Beall was the alumni speaker, and Jessica Temple was the graduate speaker. Instructor Paul North and Maureen North, Advisor, presented the graduates. Closing remarks were made by Beth Johnson, Intake and Assessment Specialist.

Harford’s Adult Literacy program offers instruction in GED preparation and English as a Second Language (ESL). Adult learners in the English as a Second Language program can transition to GED preparation classes with a goal to earn a high school diploma and enroll in post-secondary education and workforce programs

Students who completed their GED in 2026 include Cody Abbott, Anna Sue Acquaviva, Zita Palma Alay, Ejahniya Carla Lynn Alers, Jorge Alexander Araujo Gonzalez, Catherine Beahm, Eric Scott Beaver, Christopher Bell, Abigail Grace Pickett Blasdell, Margaret Joy Pickett Blasdell, Marian Faith Pickett Blasdell, Ava Lynn Boyd, Austin Brown, Jacindah Cain-Ward, Dana Catherine Cogar, Aniyah Coley, Aleshia Covey, Obryant Alexander Covington, Kierstan Crane, Tyrone Jermaine Crawley, Kervens Desiral, Skyler Anthony Famolaro, Isis Alana Franco, Mason Hammock, Nicholas Sean Haynes, Radesh Jaikaran, Salida Rampersad Jaikaran, Ashton Davis Allen Jakubiak, Ivorie Elizabeth Jones, Gilbert Reed Jones-Denikos, Ryan Matthew Lazor, Donte Terrell Lomax, Alexander Lopez, Jackson Matthews, Keirstan Nikole Berry, Jarius Javien McGill-Moore, James Blair, Jordan Millan, Abigail Morrow, Anna Maria Pierno, Briannah Quinones,  Savanna Dae Rinker, Olivia Paige Rivera, Jessica Lee Rummell, Ahman Shahied, Devon Osborn Sifford, John Calvin Sleeth III, Brandon Smith Jr, Jessica Yvonne Temple, Flannery Trussell, Carlos Herrera Ventura, Yesenia Aigail Villalobos Martinez, Michalea Faye Wagner, Grace Jo West, and Cheyenne Wishoet.

Harford is extremely proud of the 2026 graduating class for exceeding the GED pass score of 145.  The class achieved the following impressive average scores:

• Reasoning Through Language Arts: 156
• Mathematical Reasoning: 152
• Science: 157
• Social Studies: 157

Jessie Thompson stated, “These results reflect the hard work of our graduates and the strong support provided through our educational programs. We commend each student for this significant accomplishment and look forward to their continued success in post-secondary education and workforce pathways.”

The ABE/GED program is supported by federal and state funds granted by the Maryland Department of Labor.

Adult Literacy staff includes Dr. Minnick, Cassandra Burke, Beth Johnson, Brian Hendricks, Shelia Murphey, Liz Sowers, and Jessie Thompson.

Harford’s ABE/GED/ESL faculty is composed of Mariama Ayouba-Abdourahamane, Manveen Brar, Keisha De Loatch-Nandalal, Pam Dorsey, Anne Eikenberg, Justin Fisher, Laura Furman, Erica Fitch, Karen Gabel, Maria Gizinski, Rebecca Gomez, Flora Hinton, Vidya Kausik, Monica Jakubowski, Cynthia Lippencott, Amber Luchi, Kristen Mang, Lee Mooney, Maureen North, Paul North, Kevin Oliver, Kerrin O’Neill, Sarah Payne, Joseph Ploskonka, Dr. Angela Scott, Jackie Shaffstall, Raquel Warbington, Paul Weber, Gregory Wright, and Betty Wright-Jones.

The College plans to hold the next GED recognition ceremony in 2027.