Manatee Technical College honors GED recipients | From the Bradenton Herald

Kathleen Sierra overcame her decision to drop out of high school in 10th grade on Thursday night, as she crossed the stage during Manatee Technical College’s adult-education programs graduation.

MTC held its adult-ed graduation Thursday night, honoring the 354 MTC students who passed the GED test this year and the 43 who completed the highest level of English for Speakers of Other Languages. GED graduates earn a Florida high school diploma.

Sierra, 26, moved to the United States from Honduras in ninth grade and dropped out after her 10th grade year. She will be attending MTC’s accounting operations program this fall.

MTC assistant director Omar Edwards presented the class of 2017, and School Board of Manatee County chairman Charlie Kennedy, vice chairman John Colon, deputy superintendent Cynthia Saunders, adult, career and technical education executive director Doug Wagner, and MTC director Dr. Valerie Viands congratulated the graduates.

“All these students here with me tonight, all with different stories — they did it!” Sierra said. “And you can too!”