Adult Education Program

Awards Diplomas

By Laurie Borst

On the evening of June 11, the Newtown High School Adult Education Program, a member of Western Connecticut Regional Adult and Continuing Education, presented diplomas to seven graduates.

Diane Thompson, program facilitator, welcomed family and friends of the graduates to the ceremony. In her opening remarks, she told the graduates, “There are different paths to happiness. Take the time to decide what path is right for you.”

Ms Thompson spoke of the perseverance and dedication the students developed as they pursued their goal of graduation. Lastly, she charged them to “live exciting and interesting lives.”

Following Ms Thompson, Superintendent Evan Pitkoff presented the students with their diplomas. Adult Education teachers Chris Shanchuk and Mimi Riccio spoke about each of the graduates, offering highlights of their experiences on this journey.

Nine students completed requirements for graduation. Two were unable to attend the ceremony. The nine graduates are Jillian Blomberg, Ken Dwyer, Julie Jokubaitis, Marisa Katz, Dawn Paczkoski, Jamie Reding, Steve Phillips, Eric Sacco, and Samantha Soden.

Jillian plans to study communications at a college in Florida. Jamie and Eric will attend Naugatuck Valley Community College, Jamie to study psychology and Eric, business. Dawn will study at Briarwood College. Marisa is heading to the Living Light Institute in California to become a raw chef.

Julie will change from unpaid intern to full-time employee. Ken will continue to run his landscaping business, which he has operated for three years concurrent with earning his diploma. Steven is attending Western Connecticut State University. Samantha works as a CNA and will pursue her nursing degree.

After the presentation of the diplomas, Elissa Gellis, director of Newtown’s Adult and Continuing Education, announced the winner of the second annual Daphne Gibney Scholarship awarded to an outstanding student in the program. This year’s winner is Jamie Reding.

Daphne Gibney was a longtime employee of Newtown schools who died in February 2006 from ovarian cancer. Ms Gibney was a secretary at the middle school, oversaw the SMART program, and was an administrative assistant for the adult education program.