Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

Getting a GED Becomes a Family Affair

TechTalk, July 2002

For 15 years, Tammy (right) and Wanda (left) Sharpe have been friends and relatives, and for the past year, they have also been study partners.

For 15 years, Tammy and Wanda Sharpe have been friends and relatives, and for the past year, they have also been study partners. Tammy is married to Wanda's son and both are employed at Advantage Home Care as In-Home Aides. About a year ago, they realized that the changing economic times demanded that they go back to school and get their GED. "We were scared and nervous and thinking we're too old for this" Tammy says, laughing. "But then I said, why not go together?"

Tammy and Wanda enrolled in the GED program on the Madison campus of A-B Tech in July 2001, and later transferred to a class the college offers in Barnardsville. With the support of their friends, employers and most importantly, each other, they completed the GED Program and participated in the June recognition ceremony . The going wasn't easy, but together, they made it. "When I got discouraged, she would tell me I could do it, and I'd do the same for her" Tammy says. Even Tammy's 12-year-old daughter, Wanda's granddaughter, joined in for their study sessions, helping the two with their Algebra.

Now, Tammy is determined to continue her education. She plans to enroll in the A-B Tech Continuing Education Division's Certified Nursing Assistant Program, then enter the Nursing Program to become an LPN. Asked if she planned on doing it alone, she says with a laugh that she hopes she can convince Wanda to join her. "It worked so well before, I hope we can keep it going."

While Tammy and Wanda's story is inspiring, it is actually not that unusual. Many of the students enrolled in the program come with a partner. Out of this year's 640 graduates, there was a set of twins, two married couples, two sisters, and a mother, her son, and her daughter-in-law. As Cheryl Holder, A-B Tech's Basic Skills Recruiter, says "it helps when they have a team member to help keep them going, a family member or friend."

The GED/Adult High School Diploma Ceremony was held Thursday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Laurel Auditorium on the Asheville campus of A-B Tech.