Zachary Perkins and his son, Banther, pose for a picture after the Midcoast Adult & Community Education graduation at the Medomak Valley High School library on Thursday, June 13. (Nolan Wilkinson photo)
Midcoast Adult & Community Education honored three graduates at a ceremony in the Medomak Valley High School library Thursday, June 13.
Zachary Perkins, Lillian Wellman, and Nancy Thibodeau received their high school equivalency diplomas.
Rachelle Leonard, the director of Midcoast Adult & Community Education, gave a speech honoring the three and highlighting the challenges of adult education.
“When you make the choice to leave high school, you may be stepping unprepared into the demands of adulthood,” Leonard said. “But when you choose to come back to an adult education program to finish what you started, even as you’re figuring out how to make ends meet, care for a family, or manage physical, emotional, and mental health on your own, you’re stepping into the heart of adulthood, where you decide what you need to be successful in your own life.”
Wellman is in a certified nursing assistant program and plans on attending Southern Maine Community College in the fall.
Midcoast Adult & Community Education Director Rachelle Leonard (right) takes a photo of Program Assistant Betty Cheff (left) and Nancy Thibodeau at the program’s graduation at the Medomak Valley High School library on Thursday, June 13. (Nolan Wilkinson photo)
Thibodeau said she was glad she got her diploma, though she’s unsure what’s next for her.
Perkins decided to get his high school equivalency after being in a collision that he said had him “laid up” for about a month. He started the program May 9 while also taking care of his 9-year-old son, Banther.
Perkins finished the program in around a month, and received his diploma at the ceremony, while Banther received a “certificate of appreciation” in honor of his ability to sit quietly and help his dad through his education.
“Honestly, the biggest challenge – as odd as it might sound – was getting out of my own head,” Perkins said. “Because there were a lot of times where I was just kind of like I guess trying to minimalize my accomplishment like ‘Oh, I should have done this sooner.’ I’m doing it now. It’s done. I need to appreciate that.”
Perkins said he has the goal of going to trade school and learning to be an electrician so he can set his own hours and spend more time with his son. He also encouraged anyone considering adult education to get it done.
“Don’t put it off,” Perkins said. “Whatever excuse you could come up with isn’t a good one.”
From left: Midcoast Adult & Community Education Director Rachelle Leonard, Program Assistant Betty Cheff, and Zachary Perkins, Lillian Wellman, and Nancy Thibodeau participate in the program’s graduation ceremony in the Medomak Valley High School library on Thursday, June 13. (Nolan Wilkinson photo)
