Raeann Gilbert, a graduate from the Bloomfield Adult Education program, has received the GED Graduate of the Year Award from the GED Testing Service, based in Washington, D.C.
The award is bestowed to a GED graduate in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut who has displayed exceptional resilience in achieving their academic credential. Gilbert ,35, initially delayed her education journey as she and her husband raised a child diagnosed on the Autism spectrum. She was presented with a $1,000 scholarship, at the GED Annual Conference July 19 in New York City. The scholarship money will assist her with Phlebotomy-technician training, which began last month.
“Raeann is a student who went ‘above and beyond’, said Michael Bailey, director of Bloomfield’s adult-education program. “She came to our program with a positive attitude from day one and shared her struggles as a young mom with a son on the Autism spectrum. She explained how her life had to be put on hold to learn about her son's diagnosis and make sure that he received all the resources possible to be a successful adult. As her son approached his high school graduation, Raeann realized it was time to fulfill her dream of completing her GED.’’
As a student, Bailey said Gilbert was always willing to help tutor other students in class. “The teachers appreciated her diligence in attending all classes and dutifully completing assignments,’’ he said.