HSE and ESL Class of 2022 - Southwestern Illinois College

High School Equivalency
&
English as a Second Language

C E R T I F I C A T I O N C E R E M O N Y

Wednesday, May 18 • 6 p.m.

Ceremony Images

Program

Program options

Feel free to download or view program information on this page.

Southwestern Illinois College Board of Trustees

Chair Nick Raftopoulos, Granite City; Vice Chair Steve Campo, Belleville; John S. Blomenkamp, Freeburg; Charles Hannon, Swansea; Robert G. Morton, O’Fallon; Richard E. Roehrkasse, Red Bud; Sara Soehlke, Collinsville

Southwestern Illinois College BOARD APPOINTEES

Beverly Fiss, Garrett Hoerner, Missy Roche

SWIC President

Nick J. Mance

HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY CERTIFICATION WALK-THROUGH CEREMONY

PROCESSIONAL 6 P.M.*

Pomp and Circumstance – Edward Elgar
National Anthem: Star-Spangled Banner – Recording

INVOCATION

Elder Ron Cooper
Love Church, Belleville IL

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

Director of Adult Education and Literacy – Mereadith Shivers

AWARDING OF CERTIFICATES AND HONORS

English as a Second Language Director – Leslie Wagner
Program and Assessment Coordinator – Lachelle Dowell

BENEDICTION

Elder Ron Cooper
Love Church, Belleville IL

*Walk-through ceremony only, no seating of attendees.
** Recorded music is played throughout the ceremony

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARDS

BELLEVILLE NEWS-DEMOCRAT GED ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

2022-2023

Dorriauna Adams – St. Clair
Joan Slayton – Madison

ELMER AND JOAN KIRCHOFF ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

2022-2023

Kathleen Sebeck-Marquez – Monroe

DR. MARTHA GIORDANO ENDOWMENT

2022-2023

Ashley Brooks – St. Clair
Herrera Martinez – Madison
Arthur Stanley – St. Clair
Regina Wissler – Monroe

DR. VALERIE THAXTON AWARD

2022-2023

Tiffani Cummins – Madison

TAYLOR, WHISMAN, ROBICHAUX AND WILLIAMSON AWARD

2022-2023

Kimmya Morris – St. Clair

TOP 20 PERCENT TUITION SCHOLARSHIP

Jackson Evan James BlansitMadison
Cheyanna Littlestar DurantMadison
Joss Elizabeth EspinozaMadison
Christian Tyler MillerSt. Clair
Jacqueline E. PayneMadison
Mark Alan ReevesMadison
Peter M. Walsh-BurrellSt. Clair
Phoenix N. R. WernerMadison

NATIONAL ADULT EDUCATION HONOR SOCIETY

James Avary
Cher’Ami Burnette
Cheyanna Littlestar Durant
Rita Edwards
Joss Espinoza
Daniel Gomez Jr.
Tenesha Hudson
Mason Miller
Nia Miner
Kimmya Morris
Jacqueline Payne
Mark Reeves
Jacqueline Romero
Ah’Reishia Stanley
Phoenix Werner
Amy Wuebbels

ADULT EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS

Derrick Ballard
Elizabeth Baumgartner
Natalie Casey
Stacey Claspill
Marie Davis
Patricia Davis
Mary Delabre
Susan Durk
Jennie Fowler-Williams
Gina Hamm
Montriett Harris
Cynthia Jenkins
Christopher Leicht
Cheryl Manker

Angel McCain
Susan McDonald
Kimberly Mohr
Christen Murphy
Caron Proffer
Melissa Rumph
Karen Schneider
Anna Stephens
Cecelia Struckhoff
Valorie Toberman
Mary Kaye Tonnies-Graves
Susan Tyler
Melanie Warfield
Janet Wolf

ADULT EDUCATION ADMINISTRATORS AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT

Mereadith ShiversDirector
Cynthia JenkinsAssistant Director
Leslie WagnerEnglish as a Second Language Director
Jenny MargaridaLiteracy Coordinator
Melissa SnelsonConstruction Training Coordinator
Torrin SuedmeyerAdult Transition Services Coordinator, Granite City
Lachelle DowellProgram and Assessment Coordinator, Belleville
Megan HenkeYouth Services Coordinator, Belleville
Karen SchallerYouth Services Coordinator, Red Bud
Karen SchneiderHigh School Equivalency Coordinator, East St. Louis
Edward WhiteKaren Schneider
Jennifer WiegersHigh School Equivalency Coordinator, Granite City
Mary Kaye Tonnies-GravesHigh School Equivalency Coordinator, Online
Elizabeth FararVocational Coordinator, Belleville
Valorie TobermanTorrin Vocational Coordinator, Granite City
Charlean PaigeStudent Data Specialist
Tanja AnglinAdministrative Assistant, Belleville
Michelle CarrollAdministrative Assistant, Granite City
Stacie CarpenterInstructional Services Secretary
Karen HilesLiteracy and English as a Second Language Secretary
Janet RinehartOffice Assistant, Granite City
Sakeenah PearsonPearson VUE Test Proctor

SUPERINTENDENTS OF REGIONAL OFFICES OF EDUCATION

Madison County
Monroe-Randolph County
St. Clair County

Robert W. Werden
Kelton Davis
Dr. Mark Eichenlaub

Messages from your legislators

“I am honored to welcome you to the High School Equivalency Certification graduation ceremony today. I would like to extend a special congratulations to the graduates on completing the High School Equivalency Certification program at SWIC.

Being a student this past year may have looked a little different than normal, but this significant accomplishment is a testament to your exemplary work ethic. I know that your loved ones and community join me in saying congratulations to you for your graduation. I wish you further success in your future endeavors. My very best to you, your family, and friends on this special occasion.”

– U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth
D-Illinois

“To commemorate your hard-earned accomplishments, I write to congratulate you on obtaining your High School Equivalency Certificate. This is no small feat and a well-deserved honor. Your HSE can serve as a foundation for the rest of your life.

By continuing your education, you’ve opened the door for new opportunities. Whether you’re considering attending college, learning a trade, enlisting in the military or entering the workforce, your HSE puts you at an advantage. I truly appreciate your commitment. I wish you the best in your future endeavors.”

– Representative Rachel Crowe
56th District


“Congratulations on the completion of your studies at Southwestern Illinois College. This accomplishment is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and perseverance you have shown. Your achievement is a great benefit to both you and our society.

As an Illinois State Representative, I am proud of your accomplishment and hope that you will continue down a path of success and will always strive for greatness. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.”


– Representative Amy Elik
111th district


“Congratulations on this momentous occasion and best wishes for all your future endeavors.”


– Representative LaToya Greenwood
114th district 108th district


“Congratulations Graduates! Although I cannot be with you today because of a prior commitment, I would like to take this opportunity to send my congratulations. Your graduation is a spectacular achievement and you should be very proud of the hard work and dedication you have put forward. You have my best wishes for your continued success and happiness.”

– Representative Jay Hoffman
113th district


“Graduates, first let me say: “Congratulations!” What you have achieved is admirable and worth celebrating. America takes pride in being a place where anything is possible for those who are willing to work for it. Today is about feeling pride in the hard work you’ve done and steps you’ve taken on the road toward your goals. You’ve earned that pride.

On behalf of myself and my colleagues in the Illinois General Assembly, I honor your accomplishment today and I look forward to serving as your Representative as you go forward to even greater things. Well Done!”

– Representative KATIE STUART
112th district

Congratulations ESL Class of 2022!

Don’t forget to submit your custom announcement using the Graduation Submission form.
Your custom announcements will be linked to your name below.

Congratulations HSE Class of 2022!

Don’t forget to submit your custom announcement using the Graduation Submission form.
Your custom announcements will be linked to your name below.

Foundation

The Southwestern Illinois College Foundation exists to maintain and enhance the quality of life by developing friends and funds for support of the educational, cultural and service goals of Southwestern Illinois College.

The Foundation promotes excellence by securing gifts for special educational and cultural activities that are not part of the college budget.

Foundation Board

Board Chair Mary Buettner
Board Vice Chair Sue Hoffmann
Finance Chair Matthew Gomric
Finance Vice Chair Samuel Hanger
Barbara Cempura
Jeanne Dalman
Stan Hatfield
Bob Novack
Christopher C. Schroeder

Ex-Officio Members

SWIC Board of Trustees Chair Nick Raftopoulos
SWIC President Nick J. Mance
SWIC Chief Administrative Services Officer Bernie Ysursa
Foundation Board Treasurer Margot Middleton-Holt
Foundation Executive Director Rena Thoele

The Star-Spangled Banner

O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Words: Francis Scott Key
Music: John Stafford Smit

Customize your virtual graduation announcement!

You can customize your virtual graduation announcement with video statements, photos and/or text statements by submitting your custom information into the Graduation Submission Form.