Scottie Hunt kept a promise to his wife and four children Thursday night.
Hunt accepted his high school diploma during a ceremony at The Excel Center, along with 11 other adult graduates.
For all of them, it may have been a little later in life than they planned, but it was with pride in their accomplishment and the loving support of friends, family and school staff.
“I promised this time would be different. I told myself I wasn’t going to quit no matter what,” said Hunt of Poplar Bluff. “I didn’t want to let my kids and wife down. I wanted to come through with my promise.”
Hunt, who is married to wife, Ashley, has four children, Jerzi, 18, Taylen, 12, Kayden, 10, and Magdynn, 3.
He has tried other programs to complete his high school diploma, but it was The Excel Center that finally helped him achieve that dream.
Hunt was one of the first people to sign up with the center, when it opened at its new location in the former K-Mart building, but never went in to finish the paperwork.
But the staff didn’t forget about him, and they kept reaching out.
“It’s never too late. As long as you believe and put God first, you can do anything you want,” Hunt said. “Push forward to your goals.”
Graduate Monica Fugua has a similar belief.
The 41-year-old has also tried other programs without success.
This time, Fugua said, she was four years sober and wants to better her life for her grandchildren. She has four grandsons, the oldest 4 and the youngest a newborn.
“(The staff) was amazing, they treat you like they’re your family,” said Fugua, of Fisk. “I love them. I couldn’t have done it without them.
“I didn’t think I was smart enough. When you come here, they show you how smart you are.”
With this group, the center has helped more than 100 adults complete their high school diploma, said center Director Nancy Sliger. The Excel Center is operated by Goodwill.
“The Excel Center high school diploma signifies the dedication and accomplished coursework just like any other public high school or private high school,” Sliger said at the beginning of the ceremony. “We are extremely proud of all of our graduates.”
The graduates exhibited a lot of courage in coming to The Excel Center, she said.
“They knew they wanted to make a change in their lives. They knew they wanted to achieve more for themselves and also their families,” Sliger said.
The classes are free, but it still comes at a cost, from time away from families, or giving up a job or work hours.
“But they know it leads to a brighter future for them,” she said, adding many go onto trade school or Three Rivers College.
The Excel Center offers not only classes like algebra, study skills and technology, but also a life coach and daycare staff, Sliger said.
It takes everyone to help graduates reach their goals, she said.
Goodwill programs like The Excel Center will mark their 1,000th Missouri graduate in January, said Dr. Eric Knost, superintendent of the MERS Goodwill Excel Centers.
It takes courage to get beyond the barriers that first prevented students from completing their high school diploma, he said.
“This is your night,” he said. “You did this... Nobody did this except you. You earned this diploma.”
Hunt and Fuqua both spoke during the ceremony, thanking friends, family and the center staff.
Graduate Sonja Roach, 79, also spoke to attendees, sharing her own story. Roach returned for her diploma after the loss of her husband of over 60 years, and battled cancer during her studies.
“After coming to The Excel Center, I have made new friends and all of the teachers are so nice,” Roach said.
With God on her side, she said, she was able to get through everything that came her way.
“Thanks to all my family and friends who stood behind me through this journey,” Roach said, adding she wasn’t sure what would come next, if it might be more schooling, but she knows for sure that she will encourage others to check out the Excel Center.