A Vernon Tradition Honors 53 Non-Traditional Students In Adult Ed Class Of 2025

VERNON, CT — Fifty-three people recently earned their high school diplomas through the Vernon Regional Adult Based Education program in a ceremony that traditionally honors the non-traditional student.

The annual VRABE graduation ceremony not only celebrates diplomas, but the hard work, schedule juggling and the outright decision to return to school for the graduates.

VRABE director Melisa Iles called the ceremony "A powerful reminder of what is possible when determination meets opportunity."

She added, "Tonight, we celebrate not just the end of a chapter, but the extraordinary strength and persistence it took each of our graduates to arrive at this moment. Graduation is not just a symbol of academic achievement, it’s a declaration of resilience,” Iles said. “It tells the world ‘I did not quit, I believed in myself, I showed up, I worked hard and I earned this.' As we look to the future, remember, success is not defined by perfection. It's defined by effort, progress and the courage to keep striving even when things get hard."

Vernon Mayor Dan Champagne and Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary both said the VRABE graduation is one of the best nights of the year.

"You didn’t take the straight road, but you got here," Champagne said. "I love coming to this graduation because I know how hard you worked to get here. Just seeing you guys up here, you’ve made me proud."

Macary said the VRABE Class of 2025 is full or role models.

"Today’s ceremony is a special one and it's actually a highlight of the year," Macary said. "It’s a culmination of hard work, commitment to learning and dedication to lifelong learning."

The graduates, he added, "embody the Vernon Public Schools' vision of the graduate — people who are critical thinkers, communicators, collaborators, responsible citizens and resilient individuals."

Ezra Estrada, one of two graduates who spoke at the ceremony, said he should have graduated from high school with his class, especially with supportive parents who gave him opportunities to succeed.

"Yet I started to slip," he said. "Every time I felt I was regaining control I managed to lose it. That fact that I had no reason to fail, but still did, ate me alive. I had become so accustomed to failing that it overcame my vision of success."

He said his parents did not give up on him and decided to try again with VRABE.

"It wasn’t easy going back to school," he said. "But I felt relief when I met so many kind and welcoming faces. It’s rare to find people who are so devoted to the success of others."

Emily Haslam also spoke at the ceremony and said losing her grandfather during the pandemic, then having her father become seriously ill was a lot to handle and she dropped out of high school.

Then, a family friend told her about the adult education program.

"VRABE gave me the flexibility, support and community I needed to keep going," she said. "For that, I am forever grateful."

She hailed the VRABE teachers, administrators and staff for guidance, patience and encouragement.

"You didn’t just teach me, you believed in me," she said.

Haslam told her fellow graduates, "I'm proud of each and every one of you. Our diplomas represent resilience, growth and hope. And I can’t wait to see where we all go from here."

Vernon's Andrew Curtis, now 23, said he was on track to graduate from Rockville High School in 2020, but was knocked off course by remote learning during the pandemic. He said his family had just moved back to Vernon and did not have Wi-Fi in their home.

He said he still wanted to earn his diploma. He tried VRABE when it too was still remote, but it did not work for him.

Then, when in-person learning resumed, he signed up.

Curtis credited Heather Lehninger-Jackson, a VRABE teacher who was honored as the program's Teacher of the Year Tuesday night.

Curtis said of Lehninger-Jackson, "Every time I had question, she was there to answer it."

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VRABE offers a variety of programs to a large portion of eastern Connecticut and Wethersfield. It is open to adults 17 or older and offers diploma programs, assistance with employability skills, literacy skills, English speaking and writing assistance, citizenship study programs and college prep. For more information about VRABE, visit www.vrabe.com.