Tuesday was a special night for the 2019 graduating class at Barton County Academy in Great Bend. Fifteen students finished the high school diploma completion program and were invited to wear caps and gowns as they received their certificates in front of friends and family.

Steven Polley, director of Barton County Academy, was the keynote speaker. His remarks were also translated for Spanish language speakers.

“Congratulations to each of you on this special day,” Polley said. “For all of you, it has been a journey of hard work, a journey of endurance, a journey of great fortitude but, most importantly, a journey of great pride. The staff and myself are very proud of you, your families are proud of you; be proud of yourselves.

“And tonight is just the beginning,” Polley told the new graduates. “Tonight you are opening the door to your future. Tonight is just a stepping stone to what lies ahead — a future of hopes, dreams and even greater success.”

Although there were some groans from the audience when Polley declared himself a Green Bay Packers fan, he quoted Coach Vince Lombardi, who said, “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.”

In addition to earning their high school diplomas, five of the graduates were inducted into the National Adult Education Honor Society. These graduates meet high standards for attendance, dependability and work ethic. They each received a pin and certificate, a letter of recommendation to future employers and a letter of recommendation for financial assistance if they wish to continue their education. 

The 2019 graduates were: Iris Yolanda Agustin, Carmen Elizabeth Aviles*, Ana Y. Bravo Gonzalez, Corbin Chester Cale, Christina Jayci Coine, Richard Francis Estes, Epifania Rivera Fabela*, Amanda Nicole Frost*, Shawnda Kaylene Gallant, Maribel Hernandez*, Nora A. Lopez Aquino, Rosalva Romero Renteria, Claudia Roberts, Dora Elia Razo Vazquez* and Brayden Tyler Powell.

*Denotes National Adult Education Honor Society inductees.

About Barton County Academy

Barton County Academy offers a variety of services to students. In addition to the high school diploma completion program, it offers ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes. Classes are provided through computer-based curriculum which allows students to work within and outside the classrooms. The learning center is located at 1010 Taft St. in Great Bend and offers a free supervised playroom for children of students. For more information call 620-792-7995.