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Hundreds Of Adults Get 2nd Chance Along With Diploma

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By MARILYN BROWN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 5, 2008

TAMPA - The final graduation of 2008 for Hillsborough County schools was a celebration of second chances.

More than 500 adult and community school students ages 17 to 57 from across the county gathered Wednesday at the Florida State Fairgrounds to receive either a diploma from an adult high school or a General Educational Development diploma from the state.

The students were among 2,871 who qualified for those diplomas during the past year. They were the ones determined to walk across the stage in green cap and gown before parents, grandparents, spouses, sons, daughters and friends.

Some, like 18-year-old Vernon Pearson, attended Gary Adult School to make up credits and graduate with his peers from King High School.

For others, like 39-year-old Tammy Price, it had been decades since they left school for the lure of an hourly wage or the responsibility of parenthood.

"I got married, pregnant and had to leave my senior year," Price said, as she hobbled through the line of graduates on crutches to protect broken toes. She returned to adult school at Plant City High to earn her degree 20 years after she left.

Tonight Price plans to attend the graduation of her second daughter, 17-year-old Erin Hollie Smith, from Zephyrhills High School in Pasco County.

Hillsborough's adult grads attended day and evening classes at 15 schools. They included those first in their family to earn a diploma, sisters, cousins, three sets of twins, those needing a diploma to enter the military and a survivor of Hurricane Katrina who moved to Tampa to build a new life, said Elsa Tuggle, director of community and adult education.

Michael Spurlin, 38, quit school at 16, went to work and "got caught up in life." He returned to Adult and Community School a year ago when his construction work was cut in half. "I figured it was time," he said. "I finally achieved one of my goals in life."

The diploma that 30-year-old Belinda Diaz earned at Erwin Technical Center nearly a year ago has already meant a $4 hourly pay raise, taking her from cleaning houses to scheduling medical procedures with plans for more classes at Erwin in the medical field.

Diaz quit school in eighth grade and started work: "I was young, thinking it would last forever."

Tara and Karl Newby spent the last year taking classes two nights a week at Plant City High to earn their diplomas. Karl Newby said he quit high school in Michigan at 16 after getting caught up in the wrong crowd. His wife quit school in Florida at 16 after her father died.

Now, with a 9-year-old son, Karl Newby said he is looking for a higher paying job and inspiration.

"I tell my son it's not right to drop out," he said. "I'm trying to be his inspiration. At the same time, he's mine."

Even the community band playing "Pomp and Circumstance" and the recessional march for Wednesday's ceremony was part of the diverse group that gathered to mark their renewed commitment to education.

The three dozen or so Adult Education Community Band Members include retired musicians, teachers and residents.

They are students at Chamberlain High's Adult and Community School, which, like all community schools, also offers an array of enrichment classes. They practice and perform to keep their music skills alive for performances.

For this school year, "This is our final," said Karen Matchus, a 63-year-old clarinet player.

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069 or mbrown@tampatrib.com.

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