(The following text was provided by Marketing & Communications).

Professional and student speakers share stories of resilience, determination and returning to school while working and raising their families.

On Wednesday, May 28, 6 p.m., MATC will host its 2025 Spring General Education Development (GED)/ High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) and MATC Emerging Scholars High School Graduation ceremony in Cooley Auditorium, first floor, in the Main Building at MATC’s Downtown Milwaukee Campus, 1015 North Sixth Street.

282 students will be honored for earning GED certificates, and HSED and Emerging Scholars diplomas. The ceremony recognizes students who graduated from the MATC Emerging Scholars Program and community-based educational partners Literacy Services of Wisconsin, UMOS Inc. and YWCA Southeast Wisconsin.

The guest speaker is Lacreshia Whiters. Whiters earned her high school diploma and graduated from Alverno College with a bachelor’s degree. Today, Whiters is a thriving professional with a fulfilling career in human resources and also a licensed real estate agent. Her story is one of hope, resilience and determination.

The student speaker is Joshua Jones from the YWCA of Southeast Wisconsin. Jones thanks the many people who helped him and his classmates, stating, “We stand at the precipice of a new chapter, let us carry forward this spirit of gratitude. Let us remember the people who have helped us reach this point and strive to pay it forward in our own lives. Let us approach the future with humility, with a deep appreciation for the opportunities we will encounter, and with a commitment to using our education to create positive change. Today is not just an ending; it’s a beginning fueled by gratitude for the past and hope for the future.”