Success Stories

Mary Ferguson graduated from Great Plains Technology Center in June 2026.

Mary is a 72-year-old high school graduate who demonstrates that with perseverance and determination one can achieve their goals. Ms. Mary has been working towards her goal of getting her high school equivalency diploma since 1983.

Having dropped out of school at an early age, Mary taught herself how to read by getting first-grade level books and eventually moving up to newspapers and dictionaries. Her pursuit of learning was not a straight path. While raising her children and grandchildren, she balanced family responsibilities with the inevitable ups and downs of life, returning to her education whenever circumstances allowed.

Although discouraged at times and wanting to quit, Mary continued studying and learning until she reached her goal, passing her final test on June 11, 2026. Ms. Mary isn’t stopping in her educational pursuit. She has plans to renew her cosmetology license and is considering a degree in business administration.

Ryan Keating graduated from Great Plains Technology Center in February 2024.

When speaking about his education he stated, "Going through the GED process, it seemed like I would never finish. However, since receiving my GED at Great Plains Technology Center, I started working at Goodyear a year. We had our first baby boy born in January and moved into our house last November. Everything has been great since getting my diploma and it definitely opened up an opportunity for a better job."

• NOW when she goes to a restaurant, she can just sit and relax.

• High school equivalency diploma opened doors for mother of three.