Six new graduates crossed the stage Wednesday at the Poplar Bluff Excel Center. Though the pandemic has dampened enrollment, the small group had big emotions as they accepted their diplomas. Their excitement was echoed by Excel Center staff, including new Superintendent Eric Knost.
“We hope it (the diploma) gets them to a better job, better pay, better life; and the fulfillment of completing it is so cool,” he said.
Three graduates shared their trials and triumphs on the road to earning their diplomas.
Nakeishia Shurn
After hearing about the Excel Center from a friend, Nakeishia Shurn overcame fears and distance to earn her diploma.
“I came here for orientation,” said Shurn, who lives in Cape Girardeau. “When school was about to start, I completely called in and lied. I don’t even remember the lie because I was so scared to start school.”
In the February semester, she did start, driving to Poplar Bluff multiple times a week for three, then five classes. The experience was “overwhelming,” she said, but she pushed through. She is grateful to the teachers and daycare for making graduation possible.
Her young son Kysen Handy walked her down the hall during the ceremony. Shurn had one other person to thank for motivating her.
“I want to explicitly thank my mom because when she was alive... She was seeing me struggling, trying to get my GED. She was there and she was like, ‘You got to do it.’ And I ended up here tonight,” she said.
With her diploma, Shurn is set to begin her new job at Cape Girardeau’s Missouri Veteran’s Home in January.
“I feel so good,” she said.
Rebecca Golden
“I was nervous, (but) everyone made me feel welcome here. We’re like one big family here,” said Rebecca Golden.
Being welcomed made a big difference to Golden, who said she married before high school and started Excel with no transcript to apply toward graduation. Not even a global pandemic could keep Golden from graduating this time around — after three years, she earned her high school diploma and was one of four students to deliver a speech.
“This is a wonderful place,” she said. “If you know anybody, send them this way. You’ll be just like family here.”
Golden starts college in January and plans to study behavioral health.
Elaine Smith
Elaine Smith was motivated by her family to earn her high school diploma.
“I have a granddaughter that was diagnosed when she was 2 with cancer, and she beat it. And next month I will have my 10th grandchild,” she said. “I wanted to show my grandchildren that it doesn’t matter how old you are, you can do it.”
She also finished in honor of her late husband, who passed away in August.
“He was pushing me to do this, so I finished because of him,” Smith said.
Smith explained her diploma will open a new chapter in her life. She begins her college career in the new year, studying education to become a preschool teacher.
“I like watching their eyes light up when they learn something new,” Smith explained with a smile.
Life-changing work
Knost told graduation attendees he admires the courage adult students show in pursuing diplomas, often while working and raising families. Knost has 34 years of experience in teaching and administration and has found the core of his work is unchanged despite the age gap between his former and current students.
“There’s more similarities than differences... It’s still about helping other people thrive, no matter their age,” he explained.
Incoming Poplar Bluff branch director Nancy Sliger has seen graduates thrive firsthand. Earning a diploma is life-changing for students and their families, she said.
“We have some graduates, they’re the first ones in their family to get a high school diploma,” she said.
Excel Center classes are free and include guidance counselors and daycare for children up to 12 years old. The Poplar Bluff Excel Center is located at 2233 N. Westwood Blvd., and more information is available by visiting excel.mersgoodwill.org/locations/poplar-bluff/ or calling 573-686-6004.