HCST Adult High School Celebrates Another Successful Year
By Neal Czechowski
On Thursday, June 11th the Hudson County Schools of Technology celebrated as the hard work and determination of over 130 adult students in the Adult High School Program finally culminated in their graduation.
The Adult High School Program has been giving the adult community of Hudson County the opportunity to go back to school and complete their education since 1978. Many of the students work long hours during the day and go to the classes that are offered at night by HCST. The effort is worth it when the students finally accrue the credits necessary to graduate with, not a GED, but a High School Diploma.
On hand to address the graduates during the ceremony was Assemblywoman of the 32nd District Honorary Joan Quigley. Quigley has been a long time supporter of adult high schools and has fought year after year to gain funding to keep the program going. On the night of graduation, Quigley had to travel from Trenton where she is currently engaged in another battle over the restoration of adult high school funding.
In her address to the students Quigley said, “I’m supposed to say some memorable things that are going to inspire you to go out and conquer the world, but tonight it’s working in reverse. You are inspiring me. You are showing me that despite obstacles big, little, and sometimes awesome you have already changed your world and probably the world of everyone around you.”
Andrea McAlister, a 27 year old student, also spoke in front of her fellow graduates referring to the second opportunity she was giving to complete her high school education as an adult.
“After ten years, I was skeptical about returning to school,” said McAlister. “Now I’m proud of my accomplishments and I know I made the right decision to come back.”
Later in the evening, McAlister was selected as a recipient of the HCST Adult High School Scholarship for her academic success in the classroom. The scholarship will cover her tuition costs for any course that is offered in any of the HCST centers.
Another graduate who was a recipient of a scholarship award was a 43 year old single parent Romanita Otero Flores. Like most students who attend adult high schools, Flores has her own reasons for returning to school.
“At first I didn’t want to go. But when I got there I found out they really teach you. It’s like starting over but it’s for a better life, better career.” said Flores. “I have a daughter and I wanted to show her that I did it. If I can do it anybody can do it. I wanted her to be proud of me.”
Besides going to classes in the evening, Flores held a job that began at six in the morning. Her long work day extended until five in the afternoon which was the start time of her evening classes. For the entire year, Flores would leave work and rush to North Bergen to attend class until nine in the evening when she finally would get home.
“When I got home at night I still cooked for my daughter. It was very hectic but the effort was worth it for me and my family,” said Flores. “If Adult High School didn’t exist I would have honestly done nothing to get my diploma. When I was 11, we had problems in my family. I had to help out and that’s why I missed school. I thought just getting a GED was an easy way out. I didn’t want to just take a test and get a certificate. I wanted knowledge in something. I needed a high school diploma.”
Flores’ scholarship will go towards post-secondary computer classes that she plans on taking in September. Ten total scholarships were given to graduates so that they may continue their education beyond high school.
“I would recommend Adult High School to anyone,” says Flores. “You see people 60 and 70 years old going back to Adult High School to get their diploma. People need goals.”