The Butler Eagle wishes to congratulate Roger Walker — and to thank the people who helped him along the way.

Walker, profiled in the Sept. 18, 2022, edition of the Eagle, wanted a better life for his 4-year-old son, Ashton. So, years after dropping out of high school, he went back and got his GED degree.

Entering the adult education and literacy program at Butler County Community College, he went through some preliminary tests, and that made him “comfortable and confident” enough to continue. After roughly four years out of school, he completed his high school equivalent degree — in two months.

That’s something he can proudly show his son — although he’s too young to fully understand. Ashton knows his father went back to school, but — “Is he learning about animals?” Walker recalled his son as saying.

Walker’s teacher, Caris Doss, said Walker is an example for everyone.

His is one of 25 success stories — people who earned their GED from July 2021 to June 202.

For a lot of people who didn’t finish school, it comes with a stigma and defines who they are, Doss said. But in Walker’s case, he’s gotten to the point where he can think about plans for the future and is taking business classes at BC3.

“That’s a big difference,” she said.

When people sign up for the BC3 program, typically, what they need most is someone to give them the confidence that they can earn their diploma.

“If you think about it — two months. Before Thanksgiving, you can be a high school graduate,” Doss said.

We applaud those who have reached out to improve their lives and encourage others to take the step. People can sign up for GED classes at any time. Students can then attend a two-day intake session and then set up a schedule for classes.

BC3 grant director Barbara Gade said the program not only points students toward a GED, it also gets them thinking about where they want to go and what they want to do afterward. This helps them toward future success.

“That’s the wonderful thing about these teachers,” she said.

BC3 is also expanding its literacy program to the Butler County Prison. Gade pointed to statistics that show that access to education reduces “recidivism” — in other words, going back to prison — by 40%.

These efforts to improve literacy and advance the education of others enrich their lives as well make our community stronger For information or to sign up, call the BC3 program office at 724-287-8711, ext. 8350.

— LZ