'Success comes from trying one more time'

Thirty-five students earned a GED through FLCC's free program.

Thirty-five students from six counties earned a general equivalency diploma (GED) over the last year through the free program at Finger Lakes Community College.

FLCC’s program allows students to work at their own pace with an instructor as they prepare for the four exams required to earn a high school equivalency diploma. Students take in-person math and reading assessments to gauge their skill levels.

Rose Velez Vera of Manchester Details about FLCC’s GED and English as a Second Language programs are available at flcc.edu/abe, (585) 785-1544, (585) 785-1431, or ged@flcc.edu. Classes are offered in Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates counties at FLCC locations, libraries, and workforce development offices.

Several graduates attended a ceremony on the FLCC main campus on June 11. Jeff Babcock, a 2016 FLCC graduate, shared his story of dropping out of high school and working construction for more than a decade.

As a tribute to his father, he earned his GED at FLCC, then completed an associate degree before transferring to SUNY Brockport. Babcock has been working at FLCC since 2018 and is currently the manager of instructional technology services.

GED graduate Rose Velez Vera shared her personal story of struggle, including homelessness, to earn her diploma. She has enrolled in FLCC’s business administration program and told the audience her success was about persistence.

“It’s not about radical changes. It’s about consistency. Success comes from trying one more time.

See more photos in the FLCC Flickr album

Graduates are listed below by county and town.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY

Hemlock: Robert J. Simmons

Livonia: Taylor Lambert

MONROE COUNTY

Fairport: Sebastian Cannon-Scott

Rochester: Abdul Batin Usmani

ONTARIO COUNTY

Canandaigua: Olivia Galczynski, Camaje Grissom, Aiden Mayne, Isaiah Taylor

Clifton Springs: Chloe Cornelius

Farmington: Amanda Grimes, Destuny McBride

Geneva: Zaria Bartolomie, Marc Sindra Ulysse

Manchester: Karsen Borghi, Rose Velez Vera

Phelps: Zoey Barse

SENECA COUNTY

Romulus: Dakotah Goodman

Seneca Falls: Nikolas Andrews, Naeemah Atherton, Elena Bulla, Abree Galloway, Justin Secor

Waterloo: Giovanni Caito

WAYNE COUNTY

Clyde: Abigail Hamm

Lyons: Robert Bacon

Newark: Mackenzie McLoughlin, Afrah Obad, Grace Simizon, Alexis Szymonek, Logan Wilson

Walworth: Lliana Valentin

Williamson: Nolha Brown, Timothy Mosher

YATES COUNTY

Penn Yan: Amanda Martin