Day of adult education at the state capital

    AUGUSTA — Maine Adult Education programs held the annual Hall of Flags event at the State House on April 1. Programs represented at the event included Augusta, Monmouth/Winthrop, Maranacook, Gardiner, Bonny Eagle, Portland and the New Mainer’s Resource Center, Maine Department of Corrections, Work Ready, Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), Windham/Raymond, Mechanic Falls, Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative (PVAEC), Turner, Noble, Topsham, Auburn, Lewiston, Gray/New Gloucester, Midcoast, University of Maine Community Colleges, Biddeford, Saco/Old Orchard Beach, Farmington and the Maine Adult Education Association.
    Programs gathered in the Hall of Flags in the morning and spent a few hours visiting with legislators.  Maine Adult Education Association provided coffee and light refreshments. At 10 a.m., the legislature went into session and programs gathered to view the session. Rep. Margaret R. Rotundo from Lewiston, sponsored an official welcome by the legislature for adult education and those in attendance were recognized. Several programs brought student groups to tour the area and watch an active legislative session. 

    At 11:30, three adult students shared their stories with the group. Jonathan Gilbert from Monmouth/Winthrop started college right after high school but found he wasn’t as prepared as he needed to be and decided to get a job instead of finishing college. After several years in the working world, he discovered he wanted to go into business for himself and needed a post secondary education to do so. He and a friend of his had heard about the College Transitions Program and decided to give it a try. It was taking this step that has been critical to his success.
    Rebecca LaChance from Saco/Old Orchard Beach is 18 and in the alternative education program. She is a senior receiving her high school diploma this June. She shared her interesting story and talked about her journey that led her to adult education.
    James E. Sweeney from RSU 9 and Franklin County Adult Education is a herdsman. He has experienced firsthand the demise of the family-owned dairy farm as they have fallen to economic failure or corporate buyout. Sweeney feels that with his knowledge, sensitivity and experience in the field that he can greatly improve viability, productivity and humane animal care on the dairy farm. He came to Franklin County Adult Education in early 2014 to improve his technology skills in order to better prepare for his next steps for education and employment. Sweeney shared his compelling story with the support of an ASL interpreter.
    Shirley Wright, of Dover-Foxcroft and the executive director of the Maine Adult Education association, opened the program and welcomed all.  Acting Education Commissioner Tom Desjardin, talked about the importance of adult education in the education system in Maine. Gail Senese, state director of adult education, spoke and shared her pride for the system of education in Maine. 
    Thelma Regan, director of PVAEC and president of the Maine Adult Education Association, closed the program and thanked everyone for their shared support and their attendance at the event.