Took the Road Less Traveled

Deptford Twp. – Deptford Twp. – In June 2023, approximately 40 graduates participated in the High School Equivalency (HSE) Recognition Ceremony at Rowan College of South Jersey presented by the Career & Technical Education Division. The ceremony took place at RCSJ’s Gloucester campus with college administrations, faculty, and staff as well as family and friends attending.

Joe Spencer, RCSJ’s Director of the Career & Technical Education Division, welcomed the soon-to-be graduates, family members, and honored guests.

A special message was shared by RCSJ’s president, Frederick Keating. When beginning his remarks, he surprised the students with a gift. On behalf of RCSJ, President Keating provided each graduate six-college credits for free to continue their academic journey at RCSJ. “This six-credit scholarship,” he said, “is a pathway to higher education. When you come up here to receive your diploma and this scholarship, you are shaking hands with opportunity.”

RCSJ’s High School Equivalency (HSE) program provides adults who did not complete a formal high school program the opportunity to obtain a high school diploma issued by the State of New Jersey Department of Education. After taking classes, if needed, based on a basic skills assessment, students take the HiSET or TASC assessment to earn a diploma.

Lakeisha Hollmon, a student speaker at the event, shared that she is graduating high school as a 38-year-old mom. She took a different path to education after becoming a mom at 15. She is pursuing a career in the healthcare field.

For more information about the Adult Basic Education (formerly GED) program as well as the High School Equivalency Exam or preparation classes, please contact the Gloucester Campus at 856-468-5000 ext. 6227 or the Cumberland Campus at 856-200-4531 or visit RCSJ.edu/adulteducation.

Below is the list of participating 2023 HSE ceremony graduates:

Yasir Ahmad

Sheharyar Ahmed

Diana Bautista

Nathan Broccoli

Amber Brodbeck

Yariela Campos Salas

Joceyln Cruz

Nya Figueroa

Kristy Fox

Rafael Suriel Franklyn

Alie Gray

Carly Hager

Lakeisha Hollmon

Miriam Huerta

Nancy Jackson

Kiyomi Johnson

Michael Kaighn

Matthew Koerner

Danielle Leggett

Shereen Lombardi

Xavier Molina

Anthony Nieves

Chelsie Palmer

Aluxus Paradise

Heribelto Pellot

Abigail Post

Michelle Reedy

Janeth Rodriguez

Gianna Rosario

Madison Schugardt

Monique Simmons-Hadith

Monique Stewart

Lisa Thomas

Nemesis Vazquez

Gina Whitaker

Gianna Williams

Dayton Wadusky

Lola McNamara­­

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