GED graduate needed routine and the right mindset to succeed

Halifax Community College GED graduate Johnnie King decided to pursue his GED in June 2007 because he was in the public eye as a minister and he “didn’t want to be a hypocrite.” With his wife encouraging him and after telling his mother that he would go back to school, King felt pressed to follow through on his education.

“I needed that routine and it was great to have that push…It was great to have a second chance,” he said. King started the GED program in September 2007 and graduated in May 2008. He had tried five or six times over a span of 20 years to earn the GED. “My mindset was not right then.”

King drives a truck for a living and is a minister at his church. He originally grew up in Roanoke Rapids and has lived in Enfield since 1996. He has a wife and three children. “Earning the GED has greatly benefited me. I am able to speak on education and know where I stand.” In the future, King would like to study criminal justice or basic law enforcement at HCC.
 

“Ever since I drove my first car, I’ve been interested in the program”

Halifax CC graduate helps customers at local business

Halifax Community College (HCC) graduate Laura Jenkins Padgett has been all about cars for a while now. In 2007, as a first-year Automotive Systems Technology student, Padgett was the only female in the program. Now, she is a graduate of HCC, earning an Associate in Applied Science—Automotive Systems Technology degree in December 2009. She received her GED from HCC in April 2007.

Recently, Padgett was selected from a field of 60 applicants as a service advisor at local car dealership, White Motors. In addition to graduating and getting a job, Padgett got married this year. Her husband, Leland, serves in the U.S. Navy. The couple resides in Roanoke Rapids.

Although she has been on the job for a short time, Padgett likes interacting with people who come into the service department. She deals with customers on a daily basis and tries to help them better understand their vehicles’ problems. “HCC training helps me with that process,” said Padgett.

She added, “I was very shy before starting college. I think being at HCC with all kinds of people, I got used to it and now I’m able to communicate with different types of people. It added to my confidence level.”