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"I would like to start by congratulating the Harrisburg Area Community College GED class of 2009 for its accomplishments. I commend each and every one of you for not only having the courage to pursue your diploma; you also had the strength to see it through. I left school at the young age of 16 in 1971, and it is a mistake I truly regret. Unfortunately, I did not understand the value of education, nor did I listen to the advice of my parents. I thought I was mature enough to move on, but I was not. I could stand here and give you excuse after excuse as to why I made the choices I did, but that is all they are, just excuses. I enlisted into the Marine Corps at 17. I was honorably discharged at age 19. This would be the first time in my life I fulfilled my obligations and many valuable lessons were learned. Into the work force I went with a better work ethic I learned in the Marines. I always was able to make a good living without my high school diploma, but at some point it would stop my advancement. I often thought about getting my GED, but it never transpired into anything more than that. Until one day in August 2008 in my early 50s, the thought turned into a possibility. After doing research, I found the phone number of the transitional studies division at HACC. I made the call, and the first step was to go to orientation. The first day of orientation quickly arrived and it was time to make amends. While driving to HACC, my mind was churning with many thoughts, good and bad. Positive and negative thoughts were rotating through my mind like a funnel cloud in an open field. Also on my mind was the thought: Are they going to give me the dreaded "you should have never dropped out of school" speech? I had heard it so many times. I hated it. However, the people from HACC did not care about my past; their only concern was my future. They put me on the right path out of the maze, and before I knew it, I had earned my GED. Although earning my GED was a life’s goal, it was not the end. Earning my GED was a proud moment for me, and a lot of people were proud of me. I could have easily stopped there. Earning my GED is just the beginning of the journey; my final destination will be earning a degree from Harrisburg Area Community College. We often dream about many things and usually they just remain dreams. I now have a dream that has turned into a reality. Getting an education has become my No. 1 priority, and I believe my investment in knowledge will pay the best dividend. Understanding the value of education is now embedded in my mind. A lot of people ask me the difference between my life now versus before, and I tell them it is simple: Before it was an obligation and now it is a privilege. The time spent in the Transitional Studies Division at HACC turned into a life-changing experience. Everybody in this division is dedicated and works diligently to prepare people for success; being an ambassador for this division of HACC will be a forever endeavor for me. 
My time in the transitional studies was a life-changing experience for me along with every other student who earned a seat on this stage tonight. We no longer look back over our shoulders. We no longer look up. We now look straight forward focused directly on the future we now have. I would like to close by saying to the honorable Dr. [Lori] Fair and her entire talented staff: On behalf of the class of 2009, we not only thank you for your unbiased support, we salute you for your extraordinary efforts." JOE ULRICH of Harrisburg recently earned his GED at HACC and was chosen to be the student graduation speaker. He is now enrolled in college. This is the graduation speech Joe Ulrich gave at Harrisburg Area Community College’s recent GED commencement. If this hits close to home and you can relate to Joe Ulrich to wait any longer and get your education path moving with GetDegreed.com.
For information on going back to school and accomplishing your degree online, visit: http://www.getdegreed.com
All articles: By The GetDegreed Staff.
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