In a graduation season filled with high school and college start ceremonies, one ceremony this week stood out with a collection of graduates from area literacy groups. On Thursday, the Ardmore Literacy Leadership rewarded learners for completing their high school diploma, GED, English as a second language, Spanish, or US citizenship test.

More than 100 guests were on hand at the Colvert Ministry Center to celebrate the graduates, including families, guardians and other supporters. Oklahoma Rep. Mauree Turner, originally from Ardmore, provided a recorded message and Ardmore City Commissioner John Credle addressed those in attendance.

ALL of the organizations represented on Thursday included Ardmore Family Literacy, the Ardmore Public Library, the New Dimension Literacy Council, the Boys and Girls Club of the Red River Valley and St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

While more than two dozen people were recognized, some of whom graduated last year but received late recognition due to the pandemic, 12 graduate students were on hand with blue hats and gowns to receive awards. certificates or diplomas.

Among those who spoke was Sofia Hernandez, an ALL student who recently completed ESL classes. She thanked her family and guardians for helping her learn skills that many native English speakers take for granted.

“I started studying English in the Marietta library. Today, a year of study is over and I have learned to do different things. Make my appointments, make my payments to the bank, little things, ”Hernandez told attendees.

Credle, who is also the senior pastor of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, spoke to graduate students from his youth in Brooklyn. During his remarks, Credle mentioned the Biblical story from the Book of John when an apostle cynically asked Jesus if anything good could come from Nazareth.

“If they ask you, something good can come out of Ardmore, Dickson, Madill – wherever you are – you are the living, living testimony that something good can come out of these neighborhoods”, a- he declared.