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Grace Gutierrez, right, received her GED at a graduation ceremony at Brookside Education Center Wednesday. Also pictured is teacher Paige Shaw, left, and Penny Jahnke, center, adult education coordinator. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

Four people stood up to receive GED certificates at a ceremony held at Brookside Education Center Wednesday. There were 20 students who received GEDs altogether. Pictured, from left, are Paige Shaw, Jared Bair, Monty Burns, Grace Gutierrez, Edward Walk and Penny Jahnke. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

Kmwe Win presents Paw She with a certificate for English as a Second Language at a ceremony at Brookside Education Center Wednesday. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

Rosa Turrubiartes hugs teacher Jennifer Sorlie as she receives her English as a Second Language certificate at a ceremony at Brookside Education Center Wednesday. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

Etchevi Koudri, left, explains that he needed to learn English after coming from a French-speaking country. He was one of the graduates who received an English as a Second Language certificate at a ceremony Wednesday. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

Students on Wednesday received certificates in English as a Second Language and GEDs at a special ceremony at Brookside Education Center.

Teachers, students’ family and friends, interim Superintendent David Krenz and Mayor Rich Murray were also in attendance, among other guests.

“It’s a privilege to work with these students every day,” said Adult Education Coordinator Penny Jahnke as she welcomed those in attendance. She also pointed out what an accomplishment earning an ESL certificate or GED is, as many of the students also work full-time jobs and are parents or caregivers.

Educators Allie Halverson and Kmwe Win announced the first level of ESL certificate recipients and invited students to speak if they wanted to.

One student, Paw She, said, “Because of this program I am learning English at a steady pace, day by day, with the help of my teachers.”

Etchevi Koudri, another student, spoke about the importance of learning English as a part of integrating into American culture, as he is originally from a French-speaking country. He also thanked his teachers.

Teacher Jennifer Sorlie presented intermediate ESL certificates to graduates at the ceremony.

“I just want to say that this has probably been one of my most favorite years ever and … it had a lot to do with all of you this year,” Sorlie said. “Coming to school every day, the consistency, the stories that you shared, all the information that you learned.”

She added one of the most valuable things they will take with them is the friendships and connections they made with each other.

At the beginning of the year as new students, they may have only known a few people, she said. However, now at graduation, they know many.

Learning a new language also requires work outside of the classroom, and the students this year rose to the occasion.

Many of the intermediate students had emotional stories they shared with the ceremony’s attendees. For example, Siriporn Kumkositpipat said she came to the country without any other family members, so she found comfort in the community of people she met and received help inside and outside the classroom, in particular, with Jahnke.

Teacher Paige Shaw presented the GED certificates. There were 20 GEDs awarded altogether, but four were in attendance Wednesday.

“I’ve come a long way,” GED recipient, Grace Gutierrez, said. “I never thought I’d do this.”

She thanked her teachers, family and friends for helping her get to where she is today.

Murray also shared some words of encouragement with the graduates.

“You’ve all worked very, very hard, and I’m very proud of you. I’m proud that you’re part of this community,” he said. “This is just one chapter in your journey of life, and some of you are learning English, some of you are learning other subjects, some of you are getting your GEDs. Way to go back to school and get that done. That is a big job.”

Murray added that the graduates are a valuable part of Albert Lea as they live and work in the city, spend money at Albert Lea’s businesses and send their children to community schools.

Krenz said he had just come from witnessing the district’s preschool graduation ceremony.

“The joy and excitement on our littlest ones’ faces means so much, and I always ask myself, ‘When have we lost that? When they become fifth-graders or they become seniors?’ But then I come here and see the adults who are just as joyous, just as happy with their accomplishments, so that means so much,” he said.

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