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GED starts students on road to future success

June 15th 5:33 pm | Elise Patkotak Print this article   Email this article   Create a Shortlink for this article

Ilisagvik College views its GED program as the critical first step for many people who were, for whatever reason, unable to finish high school successfully. That is why the program is supported in all of the North Slope communities. Part of the college's mission is to support North Slope residents in receiving some level of post secondary education so that their economic future will be as bright as possible. Getting one's GED is the first step to accomplishing this goal.

This year, Ilisagvik expects to graduate 24 students from its GED program

22 have already received their diplomas, and two students are awaiting their final test results. Current graduates include: from Nuiqsut, Annie Ahtuangaruak, Katherine Brower, Cyrus Evikana, Catherine Hopson, Lisa Kasak, and Woodrow Oyagak. From Barrow: Carl Ahtuangaruak, Simon Aina, Gordon Brower, Krissy Gandia, Melissa Gerke, Melissa Hopson, Rebecca Itta, Jeanette Kignak, Marie Monexay, Koda Romine, Autumn Schiesser, Christopher Sears, Morichelle Tagudin, DeAngelo Williams, and Lucas Williams. And from Point Lay, Sarah Bernick.

When asked about these students' accomplishments, Diana J. Perkett, Regional Director and Chief GED examiner for the North Slope said, "I commend these students for their discipline, courage and commitment, and for changing their life plans to include self-empowerment by earning their General Educational Development (GED) diplomas with Inupiat values incorporated into the curriculum. Ilisagvik's ABE/GED/ESL staff, Greg L. Shriver, Robert N. Allen and myself, plus all of our patient, competent Village GED instructors, wish each of them all the happiness and success life can offer. It is our hope that each of our graduates will continue their journey by attending post-secondary institutions and/or training programs as they are well-prepared for both formal and informal lifelong learning." 

It is very important for individuals who are in the process or considering taking their GED exam do so in the near future. Perkett noted that, "The GED tests will change significantly in 2014. I would advise anyone wishing to earn a GED to do it now, before that 2014 date, as the tests will be both more difficult and expensive. Also, any GED student who has passed one or more official GED test and has not yet completed the program will need to repeat those tests in the new format."

To assist people wishing to begin studying for the GED, Ilisagvik will be offering a two-week GED camp from June 18 through June 26 from 9 to 4 daily. This camp will be held at Ilisagvik's GED center in Barrow and will be available to all of the communities on the North Slope through teleconference. Reading and math are the two subjects that will be taught during this time. Both are crucial pieces to the overall GED test. The camp is designed for people wanting to get started on their degree and gives them an intensive two weeks of study in two of the required subjects.

For more information about the camp, contact Diana Perkett at (907) 852.1742 or diana.perkett@ilisagvik.edu. Or contact the Recruiting Office at (907) 852-1799 or toll free at 1-800-478-3333.

Remember: more education, more options, more out of life!

 

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