As it celebrates 45 years of its existence, the Adult Education School (AES) programme saw 61 students receive their General Educational Development (GED) diploma last week at the Fairmont Southampton.

Keeping in form with its eclectic cross-section of students, this year's graduating class included a father and son, grandmother and grandchild and a set of twins.

Just before their ceremony, seven students from this year's graduating class sat down with The Royal Gazette and discussed their struggles, triumphs and futures.

After she became a young mother last year, 18-year-old Timica Olden found it difficult to balance caring for her baby daughter and attending CedarBridge Academy daily from 8.30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

"It was just too hard for me," she said.

"By the time I got home and did my homework, (the baby) was ready for bed, and in the mornings I had to be up at 5.30 a.m. in order to catch a 7 a.m. bus to school."

So, Ms Olden took the decision to enrol at the AES.

When asked if she would be graduating this year if she remained at CedarBridge Academy, the teenager readily admitted that she didn't think so.

For Jody Carreiro and Lee Wilson, also former students of CedarBridge, the chance to attend the AES gave them the opportunity to study in an environment which better suited their learning styles.

While Mr. Carreiro, 18, said the introduced schedule changes "were not for him", 16-year-old Mr. Wilson said the smaller class sizes at the alternative school allowed him to received more personalised attention from his teachers, something he said was integral to his success at the AES.

Mr. Wilson said he felt he was being more academically challenged at his new school.

"At my old school, sometimes I felt as if some teachers gave me the option to work hard, instead of making sure that I did."

Having the chance to make something of herself is something 20-year-old Jahkia Bolin said she is most thankful for.

The 1999 high school drop-out told The Royal Gazette thatthis was her second attempt at attaining her GED, both times under the sponsorship of the National Training Board (NTB). The first time, Ms Bolin said personal circumstances prevented her from taking the exam, but this time around she was determined to graduate.

"I wanted to make myself feel like I'm special. I know I needed an education and I'm thankful that the NTB gave me a second chance," she said.

Ms Bolin plans on attending the Bermuda College in the autumn and aspires to work in the fashion industry.

Veronica DeCouto, whose son Barry DeCouto, Jr., 18, graduated from the AES, said it was important for people to stop thinking the only people who attend the school were labelled nuisances in Bermuda's public education system. Her son, who had previously attended both private and public schools, chose to go to the AES when he learned non-transferable credits would have meant he would have been around 20 years old when he received his Bermuda Secondary Certificate.

"He came to me and said he wanted to go to the AES and I supported his decision," she said.

Tony Carreiro, who made the decision to drop out of high school over 20 years, graduated alongside his son, Jodi, last week. But although he was operating a successful painting business, Mr. Carreiro said he had the desire to obtain his GED. "I'm coming to a crossroads and would like to be a mortician. I felt a little awkward at first being one of the oldest, but after a while everybody seemed to adjust."

When asked what was one of the greatest challenges he faced, Mr. Carreiro said with a smile, "Sometimes they made too much noise, but I remember being the same at their age."

While he said he was both happy for himself and proud of his son for what they have achieved, Mr. Carreiro implored for today's youth to appreciate the opportunities that they have now. "Stay in school and get your education. In today's world, you need it."