Lewiston Adult Education

Graduate Shati Sangwa shakes hands with instructor Don Roux before Lewiston Adult Education’s graduation in the Lewiston High School gymnasium on June 3.

Lewiston Adult Education graduate Gerda Tuffour stands at the podium in the Lewiston High School gymnasium on June 3 in front of a smaller version of the “Hopeful” sign created by local artist Charlie Hewitt.

“Hopeful” represented the theme of the Lewiston Adult Education graduation ceremony held on June 3 in the Lewiston High School gymnasium.

Multimedia artist Charlie Hewitt, who created the “Hopeful” sign, explained the significance during his speech to graduates.

“It’s not a passive word. It means action. It means get up,” he said.

Hewitt joined Lewiston Public Schools Superintendent Jake Langlais, Assistant Superintendent Karen Paquette and Lewiston School Board Chairperson Megan Parks in congratulating graduates after they received their diplomas. A total of 23 students received their high school credential at Lewiston Adult Education in the past academic year.

Gerda Tuffour presented the graduation welcome at the start of the ceremony, relaying to the audience how she and fellow graduates leaped over various hurdles, including overcoming the demands of work and school to get to that moment.

“But we did not jump alone. At Lewiston Adult Education, the teachers, administrators and staff encouraged us time and time again, just like family. Because of this all of us are Lewiston Adult Education!” she said.

Questia Kabemba, the student speaker, talked about being born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and growing up in South Africa. She told of having greater opportunities in the United States in the past two years, taking the Healthcare Pathway Pre- Apprenticeship program at Lewiston Adult Education, starting her Apprenticeship working as a CNA at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston and earning her high school diploma. Kabemba will attend Central Maine Community College in the fall and plans to become a nurse.

“Today, we – your graduates – are ready to step into the world with pride and purpose,” she said.

The ceremony included the presentation of the employer partner recognition award, which went to Central Maine Healthcare. Patrick Jones, Monique Roy and Kelsey Sukeforth accepted the award on Central Maine Healthcare’s behalf.

Lewiston Adult Education Director Jen Tiner said that community partners helped to make classes more accessible to residents. In the past year, she said Lewiston Education has provided community education, such as high school equivalency classes, to 605 adults, language and academic instruction to 1,776 adults and workforce training to 113 adult students.

“Central Maine Healthcare has been a valued employer partner, contributing to healthcare pathways training programs by providing clinical site support, presentations to students and mock interviews. They have furthered their commitment to adult learners through their participation in the apprenticeship program,” Tiner said.

At the end of the ceremony, Hewitt donated the “Hopeful” sign on the stage to Lewiston Adult Education.