Suffolk News-Herald

Nothing takes the place of a good education, and two young ladies were determined to prove just that.

On June 19, Cheryl Gould and Stephanie Delacruz marched down the aisle of Tabernacle Christian Church to receive their diplomas from Janice Holland, assistant superintendent of Suffolk Public Schools, and Irene Lowther awarded certificates to the graduates.

Sparkle Robertson served as mistress of ceremony and the keynote speaker was Pamela Kiriakos, coordinator of Suffolk Elementary Schools.

Gould is the mother of three children and is married to Arthur T. Gould Jr.

Her future goal is to pursue her dream in the world of art; so she jumped at the chance to attend the Suffolk Even Start Program.

Gould is a native of Gorton, Conn. and attended Robert E. Fitch Senior High School of Connecticut.

She has lived in Suffolk for about one year. Her referral was done after seeing an ad on a bulletin board.

Delacruz is married to Rolando Delacruz and is the mother of two children. Her future goal is to have a successful career in the medical field.

She was once having family problems, but that didn’t stop her from reaching her goal in getting her GED. In March she passed that test and received her diploma.

Delacruz is a native of Miami, Fla. and has lived in Suffolk for the past two years. She was referred to Suffolk Even Start by a friend, and in October 2002 she enrolled.

Others who participated on the program were: Nathan Smith, musician; Lenora Barnes, adult education teacher, and Carolyn Bess, a 1992 GED graduate, both soloists, GED students Mildred Green, invocation; Mirna Delacruz, Pledge of Allegiance; Samekia Beasley, welcome address; and the Rev. Dr. Carlton R. Upton Sr., pastor of Tabernacle Christian, remarks.

A reception for graduates, family and friends was held immediately after the ceremony.