Date: Fri 21-Jun-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

schools-continuing-ed-grads

Full Text:

with cut: Continuing Ed Grads Prove It's Never Too Late

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

Seven Newtown residents have proven this year that it's never too late to go

back to school.

The students received their high school diplomas earlier this week after

successfully completing Newtown High School's Continuing Education program.

Complete with cap and gown, they were honored Monday afternoon at a formal

ceremony in the NHS auditorium.

Superintendent of Schools John R. Reed credited the graduates for sticking

with their studies despite the difficulty placed on them in going back to

school later in life. He said their achievements have, in a sense, made them

role models.

"You all can help us spread the word that there are doors that can be opened,"

he explained.

Continuing Education Director Diane Thompson said the students, many of them

with full-time jobs and small children, attended class during the evening.

"For some reason, they didn't make it through high school, but they've made it

through here," she said. "This is a program for everybody. Anybody can do it."

This year's graduates are Susan Bento, Brahm Guerrera, Chris Landers, Erica

Pratt, Catherine Repucci, Brian Walters and Vanessa Ruhs.

Several of the students are planning to continue their studies in college.

The program, now in its fifth year, includes teachers Mimi Riccio, Karen

Sherman, Randi Kiely and Tom Zmuda, as well as tutor Chris Shanchuck, guidance

counselor Gerry Waterbury and social worker Eileen Gallo.

The seven Newtown students, ranging in age from 17 to 40-plus, weren't the

only ones going back to school. In Illinois, an 88-year-old woman received her

high school diploma Monday, saying, "it's never too late."

There is no charge for the grant-funded course. For more information, call Mrs

Thompson at 426-1787.