Thirty-two Holmes Community College students were inducted into the National Adult Education Honor Society Thursday in the multipurpose room in the Career-Technical Building on the Goodman Campus.
These inductees are a first for Holmes Community College, and they join only two others in the State of Mississippi — Grenada Adult Ed and Pearl River Community College.
In 1991, Lloyd Weaver an Adult Education Practitioner organized the first National Adult Education Honor Society induction ceremony.
The mission of the National Adult Education Honor Society is to provide meaningful recognition to deserving adult education students, to improve student employment opportunities, to develop student ambassadors for local adult education programs and to create adult education awareness with school administrators and state legislators.
Each year, this program will commend exceptional adult learners by granting them membership in the Honor Society in the presence of their friends and relatives.
To qualify for NAEHS membership adult education students must demonstrate the following attributes: 1. Dependable attendance 2. Cooperative attitude 3. Work ethic. All enrolled adult education students are eligible for NAEHS membership including ESOL, ABE, Literacy, HSD and GED students.
Holmes inductees included: Rosie Bowman, Peyton Browning, James Bryant, Alexandria Campbell, Neshika Catching, Shenika Catching, Qiao Xia Chen, Jaden Chunn, Rashad Combs, Theodora Cork, Haysten Dickerson, Shirley Dixon, Darrylynn Fletcher, Brenda Gross, Brandy Gueringer, Avery Hutchison, Ryan Jones, Oswaldo Lopez, Hyland McDonald, Cason Mikell, Rainey Morgan, Maxwell Quave, Autumn Rhodes, Jaylen Rogers, Olivia Saunders, Hiley Thornton, Janiaya Truss, Yolanda Vargas, Charity Washington, Denise Washington, Lexi Wilkerson and Amyeryia Winters.
“It is with great pleasure to welcome you to Holmes Community College-Goodman Campus and to our inaugural Adult Education Honor Society Induction Ceremony,” Director of Adult Education Earline Rusell-Smith said. “This is a momentous occasion, and we are delighted to have you here to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our students.
“We are incredibly proud of each and every one of you. Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have brought you to this significant milestone,” she said. “Today, we honor your accomplishments and celebrate your commitment to your education and future.”
“Your induction into this esteemed society is not only a testament to your academic achievements but also to your potential to influence and inspire others within your community,” she added. “As members of the National Adult Education Honor Society -NAEHS, you will have the opportunity to serve as ambassadors for adult education, advocating for the importance of lifelong learning and encouraging others to pursue their educational goals. We are honored to have you as part of the Holmes Community College family and the National Adult Education Honor Society. We look forward to witnessing your future successes and the positive impact you will undoubtedly make in your communities.”
According to Smith, College and Career Navigator Chelia Woodfork-Thompson was instrumental in getting Holmes’ Adult Education programs involved in the honor society.
Woodfork-Thompson said all students honored had outstanding examples of exceptional attendance, cooperation and self-reliance. One of the students honored walked two hours round trip to attend class because transportation was not available. Students helped each other with assignments and stayed late to accomplish it. And as far self-reliance, the students had class in the parking lot once because their building had no electricity.
“Yes, these are Adult Education students at Holmes Community College,” she said. “I need you to understand that fewer than five percent of all adult education students are selected for membership into the Honor Society, making you a distinguished student in our program and among the first National Adult Education Honor Society inductees at Holmes Community College! Your commitment and dedication have absolutely set you apart, and we are excited to celebrate your achievements.”
Adult Education Lead Instructor Daphne Higgins had the invocation during the program and also introduced the guest speaker Mississippi Senator Joseph Thomas of District 22.
“Senator Joseph Thomas of District 22 extended his services to the area’s adult education programs sponsored by Holmes Community College,” Higgins said. “During that initial meeting, he became an advocate of our community programs. Since that meeting, he has supported our students in all of our programs by coming to class as a guest speaker, sponsoring as an outlet to the State Capitol, introducing students to other public officials in Yazoo City and offering advice to them on career services.
“He has honored us with so much and because of that we honored him with legislative champion award,” she said. In 2023, Family Literacy Week started, and Thomas was there. “Again, he showed up and showed out for us, and we appreciate that. We really want to thank you for your service and support. We know this relationship will continue to grow because we have you as one of our own.”
Thomas, who represents Yazoo, Madison, Sharkey and Humphreys counties, said being in Goodman for the induction was a blessing.
“I bring you greetings from our honorable Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann, and I just can’t wait to get back and tell him about my experience this morning,” Thomas said. “This educational arena is big. Our state is extremely proud of the work that Holmes Community College does and especially our adult education instructors. You know that education is key to person growth and community progress.
“I want to commend each of you for reaching out and being committed,” he said. “You’ve made a commitment and now it’s going to pay off. You know you want to have rewarding and productive lives. You will have that by doing what you are doing. Stay on track and go to the next level.”
He encouraged the students to reach out to the elected officials and express a need for their involvement in their educational process. “You are going into an awesome group, a national group, and that says a lot. You didn’t get there by yourself. If you see a turtle on a fence post, you don’t have to wonder how he got on that fence post. Somebody put it up there. Only what you do for God will last.”
MCCB Assistant Director of Adult Education for Grants and Special Programs Nikitna Barnes told the group how proud she was of them as well. MCCB’s Assistant Director of WIOA Compliance also attended the event.
“I want to recognize the families, friends, and mentors,” Russell-Smith said in closing. “Your encouragement and belief in your abilities have been instrumental in your journey. Thank you for their support and for being part of this celebration.
“To our students on this new chapter as members of the National Adult Education Honor Society, remember that this is just the beginning. Continue to strive for excellence, embrace new challenges, and be proud of the progress you have made. Your determination and resilience are an inspiration to us all.”
Adult Education Honor Society members received a letter of recommendation for employment from their NAEHS chapter, an NAEHS membership certificate and pin during the school’s induction ceremony.
To see photos of the event, go to https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=holmesccmississippi&set=a.842939117868039.
