BUTLER TWP — Those who worked hard to attain a significant accomplishment in their lives donned caps and gowns and proudly strode across the stage on Aug. 15.

The 22 individuals who flipped their mortarboard tassels from right to left at Succop Theater at Butler County Community College that evening celebrated earning their General Educational Diploma, or G.E.D., with the help of the BC3 Adult Literacy Program, Mercer County Adult Literacy Center and Summit Academy.

Last Tuesday evening’s “Rise Together” celebration was the first since the coronavirus pandemic ended the ceremonies in 2020.

The graduates, who ranged in age from 18 to 56, donned their regalia, rehearsed for the ceremony, had individual photos taken, beamed as they collected their certificates, then enjoyed a cake-and-coffee reception put on by the BC3 Adult Literacy Program for graduates and their families.

Each graduate received a certificate of achievement from state Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, and congratulatory letter from county commissioners Leslie Osche, Kim Geyer and Kevin Boozel.

Kala Gable, of Mercer County, is enrolled at Southern New Hampshire University as a psychology major with an emphasis on chemical dependency.

“I hope to help people with addiction get the tools they need to overcome it,” said Gable, who served as a speaker at the ceremony. “I’m really excited, and I never thought this day would come.”

A brother-and-sister team, Rachel and Christopher Stotler, of Center Township, sat together as they waited for the ceremony to begin.

“I knew I wanted to go to college,” Rachel said of her reasoning for attaining her G.E.D.

She is enrolled in BC3’s engineering technology program, which will begin in a few weeks.

Christopher dropped out of high school to attend classes online, but that format wasn’t for him.

“I wanted the equivalent of a high school degree,” he said.

He is enrolled to take general studies classes at BC3 this fall.

Now that he has his G.E.D., Cody English, of Butler, is focused on becoming a certified drug and alcohol counselor. He now manages a sober living house in Butler.

English recently completed his first semester at BC3 and began his second. He plans to work in the addiction recovery field, then work toward his degree in psychology.

All these lofty goals started with his association with the BC3 Adult Literacy Center, where he took classes and received support toward earning his G.E.D.

“It’s the best path I’ve ever seen offered to people,” English said of the BC3 Adult Literacy program. “It’s all free, and the people are great.”

He nervously perused the notes he composed for his speech at the commencement.

“It’s humbling at my age,” English said of the ceremony. “I’m 39. I never thought I would be here.”

Nakhiya Crawford, of Sharon, had a bad experience with a principal at her high school and dropped out.

She earned her G.E.D. and plans to enroll in the registered nurse program at BC3.

Crawford stood out among the graduates in her purple cap and gown.

She decorated her mortarboard with purple flowers and the photos of her two grandmothers, Susan Locke and Jeanette Crawford, who always loved and supported her.

“They pushed me to accomplish this,” Crawford said.

Even Crawford’s long fingernails were festooned with tiny purple flowers for the event.

“I’m excited and scared,” she said.

Rebecca Lemons, of Butler, had children before she would have graduated high school, so she worked toward her G.E.D., which she received in December.

“I feel pretty proud of myself,” Lemons said.

Melissa DeSanto and her family drove 5 hours from Monroe County to attend the commencement, where her son, Jace DeSanto, was recognized for earning his G.E.D.

The family made a poster board with glittering words of congratulations and photos of Jace.

They planned to drive back home afterward, as they all were scheduled to work Wednesday morning.

“I did it because he’s my son,” DeSanto said.

Nick Neupauer, president of BC3, told guests and graduates in his welcome address that about 200,000 credit and noncredit students attend Pennsylvania’s community colleges each year, with about 20,000 of those at BC3’s main campus or its five additional locations.

“And I would argue that you represent the strongest and most determined of those students, not only at BC3, but across the Commonwealth,” Neupauer said. “You have overcome obstacles, did not allow them to get in your way. I hope to see you in the future in a BC3 associate degree program.”

Case Willoughby, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at BC3, shared similar, uplifting sentiments.

“I am as proud of you tonight as I am of any graduate the college has. Maybe more,” Willoughby said. “Together you have shown grit … when the odds were against you.

“Now is your time. You’ve stepped up and you have earned your G.E.D.”