Jordan Ashby Photo
Tabatha Smith giving her commencement address.
Tabatha Smith wiped a tear from her eye and spoke about what it took to earn a high school degree at 32 years old.
“Adult Ed inspired me to never give up. They gave me hope, faith, and made me feel like it’s never too late to get an education,” Smith told her 130 fellow classmates Tuesday at a graduation ceremony for the New Haven Adult & Continuing Education Center Class of 2022.
The ceremony was held inside Southern Connecticut State University’s Lyman Center.
Smith’s story, while her own, also reflects the challenging journeys many of the continuing-ed students make en route to graduation.
And she wasn’t the only one crying at the graduation — young children of numerous classmates could be heard crying as well.
Smith spoke of having her first child in the sixth grade at 13 years old. After having her second in ninth grade at 16, she said, she was unable to stay in school.
She tried to complete her GED through enrolling in classes specifically for teen moms, but was unable to finish due to the demands of motherhood. She then sought employment at a corner store. That didn’t work out either, she said, as she could not afford child care. Over the next 16 years, she repeatedly enrolled in classes but was never able to complete her degree.
“I always knew this day would come. I just never knew when until I met the man of my life,” Smith said during her speech.
With her husband’s support, she was able to become a patient care technician and emergency medical technician. She found she could go no further in the medical field without a high school or college degree; her husband encouraged her to enroll again in GED classes. “He always supported me and always picked up my slack. My husband worked, cooked, cleaned, washed clothes, and kept a smile on my children’s faces while I dedicated myself to school,” she said.
Unlike many of the other students, Smith came into the New Haven Adult & Continuing Education Center without any credits. She was told it would take two years to complete the 24-credit program. By taking classes from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every week for two semesters straight, she achieved her GED, including dual enrollment college credits from Gateway Community College, in just 11 months. She now plans to continue her education at Gateway and become a registered nurse.
“Being a teen mom means we met a little too early. It also means I get to love you a little bit longer,” Smith told her seven kids during her speech. “I want you guys to always remember that if you fail, never give up, because ‘fail’ means ‘first attempt in learning.’ ‘End’ is not the end. In fact, ‘end’ means ‘effort never dies.’
“And if you get ‘no’ as an answer, remember ‘no’ means ‘next opportunity.’ ”
Tabatha Smith with Student Support Specialist Mike Twitty, who served as a mentor.
At the end of her speech, the entire auditorium was on their feet. Thunderous applause reverberated through the hall. People throughout the hall, too, had tears in their eyes.
“It wasn’t your regular graduation ceremony. This one was kind of inspiring,” said Salome Zempoaltecatl, another graduate, said. “Knowing you can keep going. You have that inspiration from the people you meet here.”
Salome Zempoaltecatl and her family.
The graduation ceremony also celebrated eight students who recently received their American citizenship with the assistance of New Haven Adult & Continuing Education Center’s English as a Second Language and/or citizenship preparation courses.
Some students decorated their caps for the occasion.
The New Haven Adult & Continuing Education Center provides morning, afternoon, and night classes to those seeking to complete high school, achieve their General Education Diploma, or learn English as a Second Language. They also provide citizenship preparation courses. If you are interested in enrolling in a course, you can learn more here.