GED® National Award for Outstanding Achievement

THREE MANITOBANS RECEIVE THE GED® NATIONAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT.

This year marks the twenty-first year of the GED® National Awards for Outstanding Achievement Program.  The General Education Development Testing Service of the American Council on Education and the Province of Manitoba has recognized Valerie Carson, Dianna Hysop and Coal Short as national award winners for the Province of Manitoba based on their scores earned on the Tests of General Educational Development (GED®) in 2007.

The GED® Tests demand achievement.  To earn a GED® credential, a candidate must complete a set of five tests covering math, science, reading, writing, and social studies.  The tests, which last 7 ½ hours, also measure communication, information-processing, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.

Approximately 15 percent of the national norming sample of Canadian graduating high school seniors achieved total scores of 2900 or better; less than two percent earned a total score of 3350 or better.  Valerie, Dianna and Coal’s scores of 3820 indicate that they performed in the top one percent of traditional high school graduates.

Dianne McGifford, Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy
presents a plaque toValerie Carson with her family at her side.

Valerie Carson had to leave high school due to health reasons.  Several years later, with the support of her family, she decided to work towards earning her GED credentials.  She decided to take GED preparation classes at Red River to help her prepare to write the exams and the preparation certainly paid off. 

Drew Caldwell, MLA for Brandon East
presents a plaque to Dianna Hysop with her family at her side.

Dianna Hysop was home schooled and wanted to pursue post-secondary education.  In order to be registered for university, Dianna needed to acquire a GED credential.  After writing and passing her GED Tests, Dianna was accepted into Brandon University where she is studying music.   She has enjoyed a great year at university and looks forward to continuing her studies and eventually to teaching music and playing in church. 

Coal Short also left high school before graduating.  After working for a couple of years, Coal realized that he needed to continue his education.  So, he studied to prepare to write the GED Tests and successfully passed.  Coal started classes at Brandon University this fall.

We congratulate Valerie, Dianna and Coal on their achievement on the GED and wish them continuing success in their future endeavors.

 

THOMAS STILL RECEIVES GED® NATIONAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT.

This year marks the twentieth year of the GED® National Awards for Outstanding Achievement Program.  The General Education Development Testing Service of the American Council on Education and the Province of Manitoba has recognized Thomas Still as a national award winner for the Province of Manitoba based on his scores earned on the Tests of General Educational Development (GED®) in 2006.

The GED® Tests demand achievement.  To earn a GED® credential, a candidate must complete a set of five tests covering math, science, reading, writing, and social studies.  The tests, which last 7 ½ hours, also measure communication, information-processing, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.

Approximately 15 percent of the national norming sample of Canadian graduating high school seniors achieved total scores of 2900 or better; less than two percent earned a total score of 3350 or better.  Tom’s score of 3610 indicates that he performed in the top one percent of traditional high school graduates.

Tom Still was born in Selkirk, Manitoba.  He attended schools in British Columbia and Selkirk, completing Grade Eleven in Selkirk.  Three credits short of completing Grade Twelve, he decided to take Power Engineering at Red River College for one year.  In 1978, Tom successfully challenged the government exam to become a licensed Power Engineer.

Tom worked at several jobs for the next seven years to gain experience.  He accepted a job in the steel industry and stayed with this company for over twenty years.  Offered a management position in this company, Tom took the challenge.

After a few years of consistently long hours at a fast pace, Tom felt his health was being affected and his family life was always being pushed aside.  Tom wanted to find a different job that would allow him to maintain a life balance between work and family.

Investigating what jobs were available, Tom soon found that many employers would not hire someone without a grade twelve education.  He had heard about the GED® equivalency diploma and decided to work towards obtaining this.  Tom successfully challenged all five exams and in June of 2006, he was awarded his GED Diploma.

Tom went on with his job search and in September of 2006, he accepted a new position as a Facility Manager.  Tom and his family are very happy he has made this career change.

We congratulate Tom on his achievement and wish him continuing success in his future endeavors.