Six students graduated from the GED program at Trinidad State Valley Campus in Alamosa. The GED tests had recently become more difficult, so completing the program was a notable accomplishment. The graduates' stories illustrated the many challenges they overcame, including injuries, behavioral issues, lack of high school credits, and domestic violence. Completing their GED will allow them to pursue further education and career goals, such as counseling, psychology, graphic design, business management, and art. Dean Debbie Ulibarri, herself a GED graduate, encouraged the students to continue building on their educational success.

1. Friday, June 19, 2015 Valley Courier Page 7
Education
By MARGARET
SANDERSON
ALAMOSA — On June
13 six students joined the
ranks of GED graduates at
the Trinidad State Valley
Campus in Alamosa.
Considering that 75 stu-
dents have worked toward
their GED at the college this
year, this is a notable feat.
About 18 months ago the
GED study materials and
testschangednationwideand
became much more difficult.
Work is being done to fine
tune the program to make it
more realistic and equitable.
Meanwhile, those who have
completed recently can be
extra proud of their accom-
plishment.
Debbie Ulibarri, Trinidad
State Dean of Arts and Sci-
ences and speaker for the
graduation,isalsoaTrinidad
State GED graduate.
“Back in 1992 I was 38 and
working in accounting at an
electronics plant in Raton,
New Mexico, when it shut
down,” said Ulibarri. “I was
the only one in my family
that didn’t graduate from
high school. When I learned
from my first unemployment
meeting that I could go to
school to get other training, I
joined five others from Raton
and we drove to Trinidad to
start classes.”
Going back to school was
frightening for Ulibarri who
said she had a habit of put-
ting up hurdles for herself
thinking ‘I can’t do this.’ But
now she is glad the plant
closed because she “has been
handedoneopportunityafter
another.”
For 17-year-old Courtney
Babcock,publicschooldidnot
workwell,nordidanalterna-
tive program that she tried,
but a friend told her about
theGEDprogramatTrinidad
State in Alamosa.
“Coming here made it ten
times easier,” said Babcock,
“It was so nice and so relax-
ing.Ihadalotofsupportfrom
my family.”
The ability to read people’s
moods has always come
easy for Courtney which has
sparked her interest in psy-
chology. Babcock now plans
Six hard workers complete rigorous GED program
to begin her college career at
Trinidad State.
Troy Bratton did not at-
tend the graduation, but did
sharehisstory. Aneckinjury
caused the 49-year-old Brat-
ton to return to school for his
GED to prepare himself to
retrain for a job that requires
less of him physically.
“This program is great,”
said Bratton. “Without it
I wouldn’t have gotten my
GED. I couldn’t have done it
without these people. I not
only didn’t want to let myself
down, but I didn’t want to let
them down either. I’d like to
beacounselor,”hecontinued.
“There’salotofproblemswith
drugs here in the Valley and
I want to help.”
Twenty-threeyear-oldCory
Cockkerham said it took for-
ever to get his GED. He tried
several times but needed a
paying job. He came to the
program at Trinidad State
from Community Correc-
tions. Completing his GED
was one big step toward get-
ting his life back on track.
His sense of humor was
evident when the students
were asked to share at the
graduation.Hesaid,“Thanks
to the teachers for keeping
my seat warm and thanks to
my girlfriend for making me
come here today!”
Seventeen year-old Nicho-
las Long-Henke was com-
mended for achieving his
college level score of 170 on
hisreadingtest.Long-Henke
attended public schools until
eighth grade when he was
“kicked out for behavioral
problems.” He continued his
schoolingattheRockyMoun-
tainYouthCenterinAlamosa
until one of his instructors
suggested the GED program
at Trinidad State. He plans
to attend ITT Technical In-
stitute in Denver and study
Graphic Art and Software
Development.
BecauseAbreezaReiersen,
34, moved a lot as a kid, she
did not have enough credits
tograduatehighschoolwhen
she was a teenager. She had
always wanted to earn her
GED but having kids and
workingkeptherfrompursu-
ing her education. A victim
of domestic violence, she
was seven months pregnant
when she signed up for the
TrinidadStateGEDprogram
after receiving help from the
Adelante Program, a “self-
sufficiency and transitional
living program for families
experiencing homelessness
in the San Luis Valley.” She
wants to get a degree in busi-
ness management and even-
tually become a food service
trainer. If the opportunity
presentsitself,shewouldlove
to return to McDonald’s after
she completes her degree.
Reiersen’s quest to complete
her GED was complicated by
a foot injury that has already
required six surgeries and
will require one more. Her
college education will begin
atTrinidadStateinAlamosa.
Twenty-six year-old Eliza-
beth Thornhill was the first
student this school year to
earn her GED at Trinidad
State.Infact,shehasalready
completed one semester at
Adams State University
where she is studying art.
Painting since she was 16,
acrylics are her favorite art
medium.
Each graduate was award-
ed two $250 scholarships to
be used at Trinidad State for
the upcoming fall and spring
semesters.
Ulibarri applauded the
students for reaching this
milestone and said, “Earning
your GED is not an end. It’s
a beginning. Education is so
importantbecauseitprovides
you with opportunities for a
better life. Build on today’s
success and continue to
persevere. The rewards for
continuing your education
will be even greater.”
Debbie Ulibarri poses with Elizabeth Thornhill, Cory Cockerham, Courtney Babcock,
Nicolas Long-Henke, and Abreeza Reiersen. (not pictured is Troy Bratton)
Courtesy photos by Margaret Sanderson
Debbie Ulibarri addresses the 2015 GED graduates
Abreeza Reiersen gives a grateful hug to Anna Mae Rael-
Lindsay.
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