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SCC's Project Beam helps 3 Russell Countians earn GEDs Three had dropped out of High School for various reasons, but work at Charlene Harris Adult Education Center in Russell Springs provides paths to goals of getting diplomas By David Cazalet, Jr., SCC Public Affairs Director Too many students drop out of high school in Kentucky. Some, like Amy Eastham and Colton Collins of Russell Springs explain that they misunderstood what classes they were required to take in order to earn a high school diploma, while others, like Destin Perkins suffered health problems which made it impossible to graduate with their friends. Now, Eastham, Collins, and Perkins are working with Somerset Community College's Project BEAM located at the Charlene Harris Adult Education Center in Russell Springs. As with these three, most high school students eventually realize that, if they want to accomplish their dreams and get a good job, they must have an education. Colton Collins finds answers upstairs at Project Beam Collins, who is now 18 and attended Russell County High School before dropping out, said, "I didn't take it (high school) seriously. I didn't get the right number of credits." Collins said, "I was downstairs at the Russell County Adult Education Center and they told me I should go upstairs and talk to the people at BEAM. I did and I'm glad I did." "It (BEAM) was very good." Collins continued. "They helped me with everything I needed help with. Larry Chaney, the Project BEAM Director, told me about getting financial aid for college. I had no idea." Collins has earned his GED (Certificate of High School Equivalency) and he plans to start on his associate degree from Somerset Community College sometime this summer or in the fall. "I will be majoring in Automotive Technology," he said. "I'll take my basic, general education classes right here in Russell Springs and my auto tech classes in Somerset." Collins is the son of Randy and Della Collins of Russell Springs. He describes himself as a "good-ol', southern, country boy" who likes to four-wheel, get muddy, and work on vehicles. "These days you kind of have to have a college education to get a good job," he said. Amy Eastham has been out of high school for 10 years 28-year-old Amy Eastham had been out of high school for 10 years before reading about SCC's Project BEAM in a newspaper article. "I came and I like it," she said. "I met Carol Severns (one of the Project BEAM teachers) and I like her. She is a good teacher. I've learned a lot since I've been here. I'd recommend it. Others should come and try it." Eastham worked in a nursing home for six years as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) before hurting her back in an auto accident. "After the wreck, I had time on my hands, so I came to BEAM. Now, I'm glad I did," she said. Eastham said that she is almost ready to test for her GED. She expects to do that within the next two months. She credited Severns with helping her to get over her fear of mathematics. "She got me to where I'm enjoying it a lot," she explained. Another area where BEAM helped Eastham was with test-taking skills. "I was afraid to take a test, but I've come a long way on that," she said. Eastham recently took the GED Pre-Test in reading and did very well. "I just took the reading test on Friday and I did real good. I feel pretty good about that. It wouldn't have been that way if Carol and them hadn't helped me. They are great," she said. Eastham plans to go to Somerset Community College and get into the Nursing program. "I would really enjoy that," she said. Eastham is the daughter of Rex and Nancy Eastham of Russell Springs. She has a brother, Jason, and a sister, Amber. Eastham enjoys helping her father on the farm. Kidney transplant forced Destin Perkins to drop out of high school Destin Perkins has lived in Russell County all of his life. He is 18-years-old. He was forced to drop out of high school when he had two kidney transplant operations. Today, his health is "in good shape." After earning his GED, Perkins is in his second semester at SCC. He is majoring in Criminal Justice. He wants to be a law enforcement officer and plans to apply to the Kentucky State Police when he graduates. As a member of the South Russell Volunteer Fire Department, Perkins said he has seen things that "you don't want to see." He was one of the fire fighters who participated in the large house fire in Russell County on Dec. 23 and he has been on the scene of several fatal wrecks. Perkins has also had the opportunity to ride along with officers from the Jamestown Police Department. "It was just minor stuff, but it is good experience," he said. This semester Perkins is taking 12-credit hours of classes at the SCC Russell Center. His classes include a math class, a history class, an English class and a class in basic computing. He currently has a 3.0 GPA (Grade Point Average), which is the equivalent of a "B" average. 27 Russell Countians in Project Beam earned GEDs in 2006-2007 According to Carol Severns, 27 Russell Countians, who were in the Project Beam program earned their GEDs during 2006-2007. The program is free to anyone who meets the federal grant requirements. Severns said that the best way to find out if a person is qualified is to call her at (270) 866-7520 or to e-mail her at carol.severns@kctcs.edu. "Once Russell County students successfully obtain their GEDs, Somerset Community College offers classes that make it possible for them to take all of their basic, freshmen requirements right here in Russell County," Severns said. "We can help them complete their college application, apply for the financial aid they need, and help them be successful as they begin their college education."SCC's Project BEAM also provides services in: Russell, Pulaski, Wayne, Clinton, McCreary, and Casey. Here are the numbers to call in those counties: Russell County - 270-866-7520, Pulaski County - 877-629-9722 (toll-free) or 606-679-8501 and ask for extension 16872, Clinton County - 877-629-9722 (toll-free) or 606-679-8501 and ask for extension 13728, Wayne County - 606-340-0064, McCreary County - 877-629-9722 (toll-free) or 606-679-8501 and ask for extension 16980, and Casey County - 606-787-4732. Project BEAM is Bringing Education and Achievement to Migrants. It is for people who have worked in tobacco or other farm work, production of crops, livestock, chickens, dairy products, or cutting and harvesting of trees for a minimum of 75 days in the last two years. It is designed to help adults with Reading, Writing, Math, Science, and Social Studies in preparation for the GED exam. Free day and evening classes are open to anyone over 16 years of age, who has worked in temporary or seasonal farm work in the past two years. A spouse or others in the household of the farm worker may also qualify for the program. One-on-one tutoring is available. Use of books in Spanish and English languages is provided. Project BEAM pays for the GED exam and for one retake. BEAM also pays a small stipend to participants for every 4 hours of instruction in county Adult Education Program or at Project BEAM. BEAM works in close cooperation with county Adult Education Programs. County Adult Education Programs do most of the GED instruction. They test participants when they first come in order to determine areas the participants need to study in order to pass the GED. GED testing is administered by the county Adult Education Program. Under the terms of the grant SCC's Project BEAM tutors only the farm workers. County Adult Education Program tutors all adults. Students, who are farm workers may co-enroll in both programs. County Adult Education Programs are responsible to sign the students up to take the GED test. The GED test is scheduled by the county Adult Education Program at the Charlene Harris Adult Education Center in Russell Springs once a month, if enough participants are scheduled to take it. Project BEAM is funded through a grant to Somerset Community College by the Office of Migrant Education, U.S. Dept. of Education, to provide instruction and other assistance to adults from families that have been engaged in migrant or seasonal farm work, to assist them in completing their GED (Certificate of High School Equivalency) and entering college. Somerset Community College is a comprehensive two-year institution of higher education. SCC has campuses in Somerset and London, centers in Clinton, McCreary, Russell and Casey Counties. The website is www.somerset.kctcs.edu. Call for admission and registration information toll free at 1-877-629-9722. KCTCS serves the Commonwealth through 16 community and technical college districts that form a seamless system of 62 campuses open or under construction. KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees; diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education; adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business and industry; and distance learning. For more information, visit www.kctcs.edu. This story was posted on 2008-01-17 15:28:03
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