MIDDLESBORO — Going back to school years later in life is a hard task for some. But for one woman, who is a mother of three and grandmother of two, getting her GED was a dream-come-true.

“I never thought I’d go back to school,” said Anna Marie Singleton of Ewing, Virginia, moments before her GED graduation started Thursday night at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College.

And like many of the students waiting in blue robes, many factors affected her not getting a high-school diploma years ago. Because her family moved around so often, she said she quit school in the 9th grade. Soon, she became a mother of three and just couldn’t find the time to go back. But after recently losing her job of 13 years at DeRoyal Industries, she wanted a fresh start. Already, she has been accepted into SKCTC’s Surgical Technology program and plans to graduate as a certified surgical technician. Her former employer is paying for her to go to back to school.

During his address at the graduation ceremony, SKCTC Director of Institutional Effectiveness Dr. Rick Mason said that students like Singleton are part of the solution in overcoming a plaguing statistic in the area.

“In Bell County, only 56 percent have a diploma or GED...,” said Mason. “This continues to be a big problem for our area.”

“These graduates have gone from being a part of that problem to a part of the solution,” said Mason.

And as though speaking right to Singleton, as well as many of the other graduates at the front of the room waiting to get their GED diploma, Mason continued.

“These graduates have had to overcome serious obstacles along the way,” said Mason. “They’ve worked hard to come back to school.”

Adult Education Specialist Tina Mike, during the Presentation of Awards, said that 30 graduates were missing from the ceremony because they felt shame getting a GED. Mike said there was no reason for anyone to feel that way.

“The GED is harder to get (than a high school diploma) in most cases,” said Mike. “We have a former GED graduate that’s a medical doctor.”

Mason agreed.

“This is not easy,” he said. “It takes a lot of work.”

Commencement speaker Barbara Partin addressed the 2009 class along with friends and family about how difficult it was for her to come back and get her GED.

“I did not pass the first test,” she said. “But with the help of family, friends, and teachers... I ended up here.”

Her final words summed up the spirit of the graduation.

“We passed, we passed, we passed!” exclaimed Partin, hands pumping in the air.

Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.