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This was the best day in a long time. Footgirl Summer took (and passed) her final GED test today and was awarded her GED at 3:30 this afternoon.
She had a tough start in life but has always shown sweetness and character, despite some very bad things. I took the afternoon off and after attending her graduation ceremony, we had a pot luck dinner party for her.
I posted some photographs of Summer and her delicious feet in a separate thread:
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Whoa! Way to go Summer! Finishing any school is an accomplishment in my book. I wish Summer much success with CC. She is a cutie w/sexy feet that can/will go very far in life because she has determination. Determination is half the battle of any goal.
...Persistence and determination alone are ommipotent. - C. Coolidge
Also, I think it was pretty cool Ben that you took some time to support Summer by attending her graduation. Just you being there for her probably made Summer's day... Great Stuff, Ben .
-------------------- V/R, FM9 aka Mr. Footbooty "She had real pretty feet. I was always a sucker for pretty little feet... Outside of her being pretty and hip, with a good body, her feet is what attracted me." - p. 39 of "Miles" (Davis) The Autobiography Posts: 8821 | Registered: Sep 2003
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It's very nice of you to say those things (and to notice, actually). I've cut and pasted your remarks & forwarded them to Summer herself. The Calvin Coolidge quote was fascinating (the very act of quoting Calvin Coolidge is fascinating, actually).
You've never seen a girl so happy and so proud of herself, such a genuine sense of accomplishment. After the graduation - while walking across the street to a coffee shop for her "Victory Latte'" I noticed she was still wearing her graduation hat; it must have felt good to her.
-------------------- Respectfully,
Ben
Malory in Signature Posts: 5772 | Registered: Oct 2004
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GED stands for General Education Development. It is a High School Equivalency certification. Unfortunately you will sometimes hear people refer to this as a "Low Life Degree" or a "Loser's Diploma", things like that. But a GED is one hundred percent equivalent to a regular high school diploma.
People who drop out of school or for other reasons are not able to complete high school can get a second chance at it by studying for a GED and taking a series of tests that will give them this "degree". GEDs are accepted by Colleges as a full equivalent to a High School Diploma and in this case, it is her ticket into Community College.
[ August 04, 2005, 11:01 AM: Message edited by: Ben Del Amitri ]
-------------------- Respectfully,
Ben
Malory in Signature Posts: 5772 | Registered: Oct 2004
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That's a great point. Once out, out forever - that's usually how it goes and I think it is a testament. I learned a lot about the GED process in all of this (eight month process in Summer's case) and have a new respect for the very existence of it.
-------------------- Respectfully,
Ben
Malory in Signature Posts: 5772 | Registered: Oct 2004
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Congratulations, Summer! It's never too late to go back again. I remember having that lesson etched into my consciousness when I showed up for one of my college course's first meetings and found an elderly woman sitting in the front row when I got to the room. I later found out that she was 87 years old, and she was enrolled to take the very same course that I was toward securing her degree. That really made me open my eyes and appreciate/respect her commitment & tenacity. People can truly accomplish just about anything if they set their minds to it, and time need not be an obstacle.
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I see! Now I know what's GED. Good for her to keep the right for learning and education to her own judgement Good luck and as an ancient Greek proverb said: "As I grow up I learn more"
That story about an eighty-seven year old woman is amazing! It is amazing. She must have been something else! I can say with near certainty that I'd not be able to do that at such a stage.
-------------------- Respectfully,
Ben
Malory in Signature Posts: 5772 | Registered: Oct 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Ben Del Amitri: Hello Footman9 -
It's very nice of you to say those things (and to notice, actually). I've cut and pasted your remarks & forwarded them to Summer herself. The Calvin Coolidge quote was fascinating (the very act of quoting Calvin Coolidge is fascinating, actually).
You've never seen a girl so happy and so proud of herself, such a genuine sense of accomplishment. After the graduation - while walking across the street to a coffee shop for her "Victory Latte'" I noticed she was still wearing her graduation hat; it must have felt good to her.
Here is the full quote of "Press On:"
"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."
I am glad you found one of my favorite quotes inspiring and fascinating, Ben. This quote has helped me mentally push through some of life's obstacles and I have had my fair share. It has been a comforting blanket in my time of need.
Summer, you should be proud of your accomplishment and always think of yourself as a winner. The best thing about your GED is, It is yours forever and no one can take it away from you and with your determination you should do an exceptional job at CC or where ever you may decide. Shoot for the moon (in life) and if you miss you will land with the stars. Great job, Summer .
-------------------- V/R, FM9 aka Mr. Footbooty "She had real pretty feet. I was always a sucker for pretty little feet... Outside of her being pretty and hip, with a good body, her feet is what attracted me." - p. 39 of "Miles" (Davis) The Autobiography Posts: 8821 | Registered: Sep 2003
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That is an excellent quote! Thanks for digging up the full context from which it was taken, it's quite something. I don't know that much about Calvin Coolidge, but my personal favorite story relating to him was this little anecdote:
While at a dinner party, a woman sitting next to him told him about some bet she had with a friend or something - that she could get at least three words out of him at dinner.
Calvin Coolidge replied (with a deadpan expression and monotone voice) ..... "You Lose".
That's about the most interesting (and hilarious) thing I've ever heard of a sitting president.
-------------------- Respectfully,
Ben
Malory in Signature Posts: 5772 | Registered: Oct 2004
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Congratulations Summer! That's awesome that you got your GED. Believe it, you can go very far from there. My ex got a GED, she went on to community college, then a university, and now she makes much more than I do (too bad she left me, but thats another story). Anyhow, keep up the good work, you can do anything you put your mind to.