Eighty-three graduates from the Ulster BOCES Adult Career Education Center received their General Education Diploma (GED) or completed their English as a Second Language (ESL) classes on Tuesday, May 14.

The ceremony honored students who have completed the rigorous program since 2020. The ceremony was held at the Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning in Port Ewen.

City Clerk and Registrar from the City of Kingston, Elisa Tinti, congratulated the graduates and told them that they were closing one chapter of their story and starting another. “What will be the next pivotal moment that will lead to your next bright future? I can't wait to hear all of your stories,” Tinti said.

Luz Zapata, a Kingston resident who earned her GED, says it was more than worth it. “My advice to everyone who struggles is that you have to believe in yourself. It took me four years, but I finally got my GED. I did it to show my nephew that he could do it, too. I am currently in my second year of college,” Zapata said. “It hasn’t been the easiest time of my life,” she says, adding that her teachers provided her and her classmates with the tools they needed to complete the program and succeed. "The world is yours! Believe in yourself. I am so grateful to everyone who believed in me!”

The newly minted GED graduates in attendance were: Gabriel Allen, Kingston; Corina Brown, Catskill; Zachary Calderale, Ashokan; Gianni Calister, New Paltz; Erum Choudhry, Kingston; Stacy Clarke, Marlboro; Toni-Ann Forcaretta, Margaretville; Travis Hasbrouck Sr., Kingston; Sonia Irizarry, Kingston; Carmela King, Kingston; Amity Lasting, Ellenville; Aaron Maloy, Ellenville; Kerry Munson, Kingston; Lakoyia Neal, Kingston; Felicia Porter, Saugerties; Carmelita Ritchie, Cairo-Durham; Elvira Rodriguez, Kingston; Evan Saratapoulas, Ellenville; Lashawn Spencer, Kingston; Giovanni Velez, Ellenville; Cherri Williams, Ellenville; and Luz Zapata, Onteora.