GED graduates look to the future

A piece of paper is helping Tom Brokes pave the path to a brighter future.
Brokes is one of 17 people who will receive General Educational Development high school equivalency degrees Thursday.
The ceremony is at 7 p.m. in Park United Methodist Church at 2335 Palmyra Road. Brokes will be the featured speaker.
“It makes me feel good about being able to accomplish it,” the 49-year-old graduate said.
Brokes was a fair student, but had little family support and dropped out after completing the eighth grade.
At the time, jobs were plentiful and Brokes found work easily. His last job in a factory ended after 21 years when the facility closed its doors.
Last January, Brokes enrolled in a GED class sponsored by Hannibal schools through the Career and Technical Center.
The self-paced program has 14 teachers and has graduated students ranging in age from 18 to 71.
“When I started, my grades were really low,” Brokes remembers. “They were like seventh-grade level.”
By the time Brokes finished five months later, he had risen to college-level skills.
“I picked it up pretty quick,” he said.
That’s music to Joe Pettit’s ears. He’s director of adult education at the career center, and says the GED program is growing.
“With factories closing and things the way they are, it creates more and more need for that educational piece,” Pettit said.
To Thursday’s graduates, Brokes plans to say that the GED ceremony is only the beginning, and will cite himself as an example.
He plans to attend John Wood Community College and major in electrical technology.
“I’ve always been fascinated with that,” he said.
Brokes has made sure that the motivation he didn’t have as a child shines through to his own kids.
It seems to be working because two daughters already have graduated and his 13-year-old son will start high school in the fall.
“Me and my wife have always said we’re going to push our kids as hard as we can,” Brokes said. “We’re not going to let them quit.”
As for others who don’t have a GED, Brokes offers encouragement.
“It’s never too late,” he said. “Don’t give up.”
Whom to call: If you’d like information about GED classes, call the Hannibal Career and Technical Center at (573) 221-4430.