PRESS RELEASE: JUNE 28, 2023
SJR State honors Adult Education graduates
Tinia Cardona
Delton Nealy
Students earning their high school diplomas through St. Johns River State College were recently honored during the College’s annual adult education graduation. The ceremony represented more than just the passing of an exam, it represented countless individual achievements, struggles and challenges that are the very fabric of every GED diploma.
Among the graduates was Interlachen resident Tinia Cardona, who at 17, has learned how to turn obstacles into opportunities. Cardona dropped out of high school after losing both of her parents in less than a year. “I was in a headspace of not caring and thinking school wasn’t important,” Cardona said.
But with the help of her sister Destiny, Cardona said she was able to attain her GED and began to see the value in setting goals and achieving them. “I realized the road I was traveling on was not the path I wanted to take,” she said. “Knowing that my parents have passed and are not here physically, led me to want to accomplish more and make them proud. I want to live a life worthy for them.”
Cardona’s instructor, Jarvis Wright said that being part of a student’s remarkable growth is the most rewarding aspect of teaching. “She turned multiple obstacles into opportunities to achieve her goals,” Wright said. “There were times when she rode her bike to class in the rain because she was determined to finish school. I believe that I started out motivating her, but in the end, she became my motivation.”
In the next 10 years, Cardona envisions a career as a cosmetologist, more fishing and enjoying life. She has learned that anyone can achieve anything, if they put their mind to it. “Don’t put off tomorrow what you can do today,” Cardona advises. “You just have to get up and do it.”
The guest speaker was SJR State alumni Delton Nealy, who shared his message of how “trials are temporary, but quitting lasts forever.”
At the age of 46, Nealy earned his Associate in Science Degree in Engineering Technology after realizing that “preaching higher education” to his children would have more of an impact if he led by example.
Working fulltime while juggling the responsibilities of family, church and taking only two classes a semester, Nealy said there were times he thought he would never finish. “It took me four years, but I did it. I graduated with three certifications and a degree that allowed me to break those chains that I allowed to limit myself,” Nealy said. “In 2022, my son and I graduated on the same day from SJR State.”
Nealy shared how he closed himself into the role as a shift supervisor at Georgia-Pacific, but by acquiring his degree, he began to enable bigger and better opportunities. Relating to their journey ahead, Nealy told the graduates to keep making progress.
“You may feel like you are wasting time and finishing is not even in view… but keep showing up. No matter how you feel, get up,” he said. “In this fast-paced, microwave world, where we want things fast and in a hurry with the least amount of effort, remember some things take time… we are all a work in progress. You are where you are today because of the choices and sacrifices you made yesterday.”
During the ceremony, students Tinia Cardona, Debby Portillo, Kaylee Thornton and Tameria Wiggins were recognized for their achievements, class leadership, and determination.
The 2022–2023 graduates are Salvador Adams, Tinia Cardona, Emma Cichowski, Monica Clark, Cyril Dela Llana, Amber Garner, Indianna Hoyes, Damon Murray, Debby Portillo Bejarano, Nyomi Salonga, Devon Sias, Sylas Smith, Ayden Spedden, Hannah Steward, Lucius Layton, Kaylee Thornton and Tameria Wiggins.
SJR State’s Adult Education program prepares students to earn a Florida high school diploma through the GED program. The program consists of self-paced and computer-assisted instruction, use of textbooks and handouts, and dedicated, qualified instructors. Registration for the test prep classes is ongoing.
For more information, call the Adult Education department at 386-312-4080, or visit the website at SJRstate.edu/.
Graduates participating in the 2023 Adult Education graduation are:
Top Row: Salvador Adams, Tinia Cardona, Sylas Smith, Ty Lingle, Michael Lapan
Bottom Row: Debby Portillo, Kaylee Thornton, Damon Murray, Hannah Steward
MEDIA CONTACTS
Michelle Sjogren
Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Strategic Communications
(904) 276-6814
Susan Kessler
Director of Public Relations and Marketing
(386) 312-4021
