JPS annual GED graduation - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

JPS annual GED graduation

By Kandiss Crone - bio | email

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - GED graduates receive diplomas.

A special ceremony for dozens of JPS graduates Thursday evening.

Fifty-eight individuals celebrated earning their GED.

"I did it for my kids mainly because I feel like you can't push children to do something when you haven't done it yourself," Leslie Hampton said.

Demetrius Newton dropped out of Yazoo City High School after she became pregnant at the age of 15.

The mother of five went back to earn her GED so she can start her own business.

"My goal is to open up my daycare, have my children there, have my sisters and brothers working with me helping me with my daycare," Demetrius Newton said.

Fifty-one year old Cheryl Henley is one of the oldest graduates.

She left high school during her senior year after getting married.

"I got married when I was 15 which was way too young.  I dropped out my senior year cause it was hard handling jobs, school, being a wife," Cheryl Henley said.

Henley says having a GED will make finding a job a lot easier.

"I been out of a job for a year, and there's just nothing out there for somebody who doesn't have a high school education," Cheryl Henley said.

The graduates were tested in subjects like language arts, reading and writing, math, social studies and science.

Over the past year, nearly 400 people have passed the GED tests.

Leslie Hampton has this message for those who have dropped out and want a second chance.

"You can do it.  If I can do it, you can do it.  It wasn't hard.  You have to put your mind to it and study, study, study and you can do it," Hampton said.