3 complete program at library

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Ceremony set for Oct. 8

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Education

Three Sulphur Springs residents earned their high school diploma on Sept. 26 through the career online high school program at Sulphur Springs Public Library.

Marquasha Hawkins, Pamela Daniels and Heather Miller have completed all the requirements for their high school diplomas and have earned their office management certifications, the release stated.

The library partnered with Gale, a provider of library resources, in September 2017 to offer the program in an effort to help the city’s 19% of adults who lack a high school diploma, according to a release.

“After looking at the dropout statistics of Hopkins County, I knew this program could change lives. Friends of the Library President Trice Lawrence spoke to area businesses about the need for a program like this and raised enough money to begin with 12 scholarships. As of today, the library has given out seven scholarships and has seen five graduates,” Hope Cain, Sulphur Springs public library director, said.

Sulphur Springs Public Library awards scholarships for career online high school to Those looking to earn a high school diploma and advance their careers, according to Cain.

Once enrolled, the program pairs each student with an academic coach, who offers ongoing guidance and encouragement, evaluates performance and connects the learner with the resources needed to demonstrate mastery of the course material, the release stated.

Classes are supported by board-certified instructors and students have 24/7 access to the online learning platform. Coursework begins in one of eight high-growth, high-demand career fields across a spectrum from truck driving to office management, before progressing to core academic subjects.

Students are able to graduate in as few as six months by transferring in previously earned high school credits but are given up to 18 months to complete the program.

“Our students’ achievement is a great example of the direct social and economic impact libraries have on their communities, and Gale is proud to partner with them to make it happen,” said Paul Gazzolo, senior vice president and general manager at Gale.

Graduates from the career online high school program will have a public graduation ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. at the library.