BLOUNTVILLE — Northeast State Community College celebrated 151 graduates of the 2025 class of the Adult Education program at a commencement ceremony held Tuesday afternoon, May 13.
Adult Education program director Anita Ricker welcomed the students, their friends and their families to the graduation ceremony held at the Ballad Heath Center for Performing Arts Theater on the Blountville campus next to Tri-Cities Airport.
The Adult Education program prepares students to earn their high school equivalency diplomas through the High School Equivalency Testing or HiSET exam. Ricker expressed the program’s appreciation of Northeast State administration and the Economic and Workforce Development team for their support of adult education students.
“We are thankful for all the special work that goes into getting the HiSET,†Ricker told the assembly.
Northeast State’s Adult Education team serves the state’s District 1 region, including Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington counties.
The program serves adults older than 16 seeking to earn a high school diploma. A diploma gives students better employment options and allows them to pursue a college degree or technical certificate. HiSET graduate Shania Cabalbal and past graduate Paola Velasco served as commencement speakers.
“This is our victory over challenges, doubts, and everything life threw at us,†Cabalbal said. “Today, we are all living proof that adult education is not about getting a piece of paper; it is about proclaiming our story, the fears we overcome, and the strength we found in ourselves.â€
A native of Ecuador, Velasco earned her diploma through HiSET in 2020. She went on to earn an associate degree in accounting from Northeast State.
“Accounting taught me that everything must balance, and our efforts must balance with our goals,†Velasco told the audience. “Put in the work, and results will follow.â€
The year’s Adult Education program graduates are: Zachary Stratton, Allister Barnes, Tylor Young, Tristan Baumgardner, Chad Jones, Trey La Rosa, Tony Price, Timothy Libbey, Darrell Berry, Terry Carver, Jr., Taylor Bryant, Jordan Tyree, Tamara Chapman, Deidrick Frazier, Stella Webb, Brian Murray, Lindsey Smelcer, Maureen Smallwood, Bartlett Irick, David Soule, Shawn Spears, Cheyanne Stines, Nicholas Stines, Shanna Gilbert, Shania Cabalbal, Samuel Grear, Amanda Sanders, Ronnie Leach, Rachel Andrews, Peter Vilander, Shawn Spears, Nathan Daniels, Miranda Sluss, Ashley Morrell, Michael Martin, Michael Ingram, Holden Miller, Trinity Mazoway, Marlee Kindle, Leanna Marcionette, Johnny Mcnabb, Nicole Johnson, Landon Neeley, Lacey Frost, Kaleb Wright, Ethan Cayce, Kimberly Yarber, Kevin Bowman, Kayla Dunne, Katie Archer, Kara Burke, Johnathan Ray, Jenna Lister, Jadyn Grant, Jessica Green, Jessica Kelly, Jerrimy Phillips, Jeremy Stout, Jennifer Hensley, Justin Beam, Dalton Coggins, Jacob Brannen, Jackson Whisnant, Iris Lewis, Hannah Phillips, Heather Valentine, Hayleyana Garner, Luke Hayes, Hayden Bennett, Harley Stallard, Hailey Anderson, Emma Garrett, Richard Cervantes, Gideon Leffler, Brandi Fleenor, Faith Hughes, Emma Register, Emma Enfinger, Gabrielle Vautrin, Dalton Ebbs, Dylan Roupas, Desiree Feyers, Deidre Roberts, Coy Hyden, Daygon Bailey, Jesse Johnson, George Jack, Courtney Horton, Courtney Gammon, Brandi Gritzmaker, Colby Wert, Cody Swain, Cody Hatfield, Curtis Hatfield, Christian Arnold, Chance Markland, Charles Payne, Carson Stanley, Phillip Wendt, Phillip Clark, Cade Clark, Eric Crafton, Skyler Goble, Sabrina Skipper, Briana Chambers, Breanna La Fleur, Braxton Roberts, Brandy Dugger, Brandon Johnson, Blake Ervin, Emilee Showman, Ashton Boatwright, Antonia Holley, Andrew Landrum, Amanda Lowe, Aidan Dunn, Adrienne Smith, Adam Cover, Lennon White, Aubree Arnold, Donnie McFalls, Jakob Dockery, Brittney Green, Allyson Porter, Andrew Jones, Nadia Boxhorn, Baylee McConnell, Courtney West, Amber Holbrook, Sarah Leondard, Maryam Achi, Graham Bailey, Williams, Zackery Williams, Maria Pagnucco, Cortney Avery, William Turner, Phillip Hagan, Abby Greene, Phillip Van Wyk, Charles “Samuel†Ford, Leina Garay, Maria “Veronica†Rubin, Barbara Colvin, and Frankie Crutchfield.
The high school equivalency diploma opens opportunities for graduates to pursue successful futures in college, a career or the military. Program staff assess applicants’ level of education and provide instruction to bolster skills in math, science, social studies, reading, writing and job opportunities.
“For anyone out there who feels they are starting too late, or the odds are stacked against them, you are stronger than your situation,†Cabalbal said. “Your future is still waiting for you to claim it.â€
