GED graduation to be latest achievement for Awag

COEUR d'ALENE — Mark Awag has been on a roll.

The 27-year-old starts a new job in two weeks, earned his U.S. citizenship last year, and will participate in the North Idaho College GED Graduation Ceremony Thursday at NIC’s Boswell Hall Schuler Auditorium.

"It has been one thing after another — it’s been amazing," Awag said. "I decided to set some goals and do what I needed to get to them."

Awag came from the Philippines eight years ago with his family, locating in Idaho where some relatives had retired. He’s currently working several jobs, such as warehouse worker and cook, but decided to enroll in NIC’s Electrician Apprenticeship program next fall and recently accepted a job offer at a local electric service and repair company. First, he needed his GED.

"NIC offers a lot of flexible class hours, which is especially helpful for people like me who are working," Awag said. "I encourage people who are working full time to enroll in the GED night classes. I had a great teacher who was always available to help in the classroom and with my GED online studies."

NIC’s Adult Education Center is a program designed for individuals 16 years of age and older who have withdrawn from public school and want assistance to prepare for the GED Test. The center also serves adults who have graduated but want to upgrade their basic skills.

"Mark was a dedicated, disciplined, exemplary student who attended regularly and completed all the distance learning assignments. Mark worked three jobs during the course of his GED studies and still completed the program successfully," said Marty Bruner NIC/AEC student adviser.

Tuition is free in the program and most materials are provided. Students are allowed to progress at their own pace, and small-group instruction helps them to achieve individual goals, such as walking in the graduation ceremony Thursday. The public is welcome to attend the ceremony to watch Awag and others accept their GED.

"The program is free and my advice is that you should just make up your mind to enroll. Do it today and do not wait," Awag said. "Obtaining my GED has opened up a whole world of opportunities."

For more information on the NIC Adult Education Center, call 208-665-5099.