Hopkinsville Community College graduated and celebrated students who completed the General Education Development test to earn a certificate equivalent to a high school diploma on Thursday.
The 2025 GED graduation class consists of 72 graduates. HCC Vice President of Academic Affairs Chris Boyett welcomed graduates and attendees and said he saw a group of people who have successfully invested in their future and those who supported them on the journey.
Before the graduates received their certificates, their achievements were further spotlighted by keynote speakers Marethia Scott and Amy Watson.
Scott was one of the evening’s graduates, and said the path to receiving her GED wasn’t easy, it took seven years, but was worth it in the end. Scott thanked those who supported her and shared that she was ready to start the next chapter.
Then Watson took to the podium to congratulate the graduates. Watson is a native of western Kentucky living in Hopkinsville who had a career in broadcast journalism for 35 years and spent two decades of her career working at News Channel 5 in Nashville before retiring in 2024.
Watson said the ceremony highlights the graduate’s refusal to give up when life got hard or listen to any doubtful voices.
At the beginning of her career, Watson said there were times when she was not sure if she was on the right path. Before her senior year of college, Watson interned at WPSD in Paducah, and at the end of the internship, she said the news director told her that she should find another career. Watson said it was hard to have someone doubt her, but is proud of herself for continuing and being successful.
To conclude the ceremony, students received their certificates and were announced as graduates.