Sussex Tech celebrates new class of Adult Education program grads

This year’s adult education class at Sussex Tech graduated 29 people.

A program focused on helping adults obtain a high school diploma graduated 29 students in this year’s class graduation in late June.

The Sussex Tech Adult Education Division, part of Sussex County Vocational Technical School District, offers the program to enhance people’s lives and careers.

The GED (General Educational Development) program is for adults who do not have a high school diploma. Students earn the GED credential by passing 4 tests: Math, Science, Social Studies, and Reading Language Arts.

The GED credential is accepted for admittance into many colleges and the military.

“After having only a fifth grade education and being removed from my home by the state at 17, I decided to pursue and finish my education which was one of my dreams as I was very limited all my life due to this setback,” said Micah Miller, one of the graduates.

After he completed my GED, he said he felt very accomplished and having the diploma opened up many more job opportunities so he would not be stuck on minimum wage jobs all his life.

“It also opened the door for me to be able to apply and be excepted into college where I’m working on my degree to one day become a teacher,” he said.

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Now in its sixth decade, the program continues to offer a wide array of affordable courses and certifications designed to meet the evolving needs of the community.

From earning a high school diploma through the James H. Groves Adult High School to gaining technical certifications in high-demand fields, Sussex Tech Adult Education provides flexible options for adult learners.

Programs include instruction in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), basic and advanced computer literacy, and high school diploma preparation.

The division also offers skilled training programs in health care and other trades, including apprenticeships in auto mechanics, CDL-A, electrical trades, HVAC-R, and welding.

These courses are designed to prepare participants for entry into new professions or help them upskill for advancement in their current roles.

Driver education courses and customized workforce training programs for businesses are also part of Sussex Tech’s offerings. The school’s workforce development team can tailor training to meet specific business needs, with the flexibility to deliver instruction either on-site or at the Career Training Center in Georgetown.

“The GED is an alternative option for adults to earn their secondary credential,” said Kelly Whaley, director of Adult Education at the district. “Earning the GED opens doors to post-secondary programs and better paying jobs that allow adults to support their families and make a better life for themselves.”

It’s a self-paced program, where some students move through within a year, and some take longer.

Enrollment has increased significantly over the last 5 years, and the program has had as many as 50 students earn a GED in one year.

It’s usually around 30 in the program, and it enrollees can choose between day and evening classes throughout Sussex County in order to fit their schedule.

Ashley Cooper, another grad, contextualized the importance of the program and how it helps people who’ve experienced some obstacles in life.

“For a long time, life had its own plans,” she said in her graduation speech. “I faced challenges that forced me to put my education on hold. But even when I stepped away from the classroom, I never let go of the belief that I could do more. That I would do more. And that belief only grew stronger when I became a parent.”

Having her son changed everything, she said, as he gave Cooper a new reason to rise every morning with purpose.

“I realized that if I wanted to show him the value of hard work, perseverance, and self-respect, I needed to lead by example,” she said. “I couldn’t just tell him to chase his dreams—I had to show him how to fight for them, even when the odds aren’t in your favor.”

That’s why she made the choice to go back and get her GED.

“Because I believe education is one of the most powerful tools we have to shape our future,” she said. “It’s the key that can open doors I once thought were locked forever. I didn’t go back to school just to earn a piece of paper—I did it to prove to myself and to my son that it’s never too late to rewrite your story.”

This journey hasn’t been easy, she emphasized, with balancing work, parenting, and studying taking everything she has.

But, she said she’s learned that strength doesn’t come from things being easy, but rather from doing what’s hard, and doing it anyway.

“To anyone who has ever felt like they missed their chance—I’m here to tell you: your chance is still here,” she said. “I’m living proof of that. This isn’t just about me earning my GED. It’s about building a foundation for something greater—for college, for a career, for a stable and proud future. Most of all, it’s about making sure my son grows up knowing that his mother never gave up—and neither should he.”