On Thursday, June 26th, the Education Center West Conference Hall at the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) overflowed with pride, hope, and joy as family, friends, and staff gathered to honor an extraordinary milestone at the 2025 High School Equivalency (HSE) Recognition Ceremony. But this wasn’t merely an event. It was a powerful display of resilience, determination, and the human spirit.
The LACOE HSE Program is no small feat. Offered entirely online, it provides participants with a pathway to earn their California Certificate of Proficiency, a credential legally equivalent to a California-issued high school diploma. Yet this journey demands far more than just academic effort. Students must complete the rigorous program in just six months, preparing for and passing five challenging HiSET tests: Math, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts – Reading, and Language Arts – Writing. Beyond the academic demands, many graduates have faced – and overcome – profound systemic, economic, emotional, and educational barriers. They’ve balanced work, family responsibilities, and personal struggles, all while remaining committed to their education and future.
This year, 112 determined adult learners completed the program. Of those, 52 graduates chose to participate in the ceremony, surrounded by an enthusiastic audience of 235 family members and friends whose cheers and tears filled the hall with love and admiration.
The ceremony opened with heartfelt words of appreciation and encouragement from LACOE GAIN Program Managers Martin Evans and Onica Ross, joined by Dr. Maricela Ramirez, LACOE Chief Education Officer. Together, they set the tone for a morning brimming with gratitude, pride, and celebration.
However, it was the pre-recorded video message from LACOE Superintendent Dr. Debra Duardo that deeply touched the room. Though unable to attend in person, Dr. Duardo shared her personal story of becoming a mother at 17 and navigating life as a non-traditional student. Her words resonated with the graduates, underscoring how every challenge had made her stronger and how each step forward, no matter how small, mattered profoundly.
As her message played, eyes glistened with tears. Faces reflected a mix of disbelief and quiet triumph. She reminded graduates that their certificate was not merely a milestone but a mirror reflecting who they truly are – resilient, resourceful, and unstoppable. In that moment, representation truly mattered, and in Dr. Duardo, our graduates saw not just a leader but a living example of their possibilities. Her message radiated hope and affirmed that life’s obstacles, however formidable, are not insurmountable.
Several students shared moving testimonies of their journeys before and during the HSE Program. With trembling voices and tear-filled eyes, they thanked their families and liaisons, many of whom watched from the audience with pride. Children, young and grown, looked on as their loved ones claimed a victory once thought out of reach.
This ceremony is always far more than a formal occasion. It is a life-changing affirmation. Graduates stood with pride as their names were called, crossed the stage holding their heads high, certificates clutched in their hands, their smiles so bright they seemed capable of lighting even the darkest corners of any room. Each year, this ceremony leaves a profound impact not only on the graduates and their families but also on the dedicated LACOE staff who have supported them through every triumph and setback. Across Los Angeles County, LACOE HSE Liaisons have done more than provide academic guidance – they’ve offered safe spaces that facilitated growth, constant encouragement, and a steadfast belief in each student’s potential.
It’s a privilege and a joy to witness individuals shift from doubt and uncertainty into confident achievers who now recognize their worth and capability. Here’s to the Class of 2025 and another year of resilience, achievement, and dreams fulfilled. May this certificate mark the beginning of even greater successes. We are proud of you today and always.
by Dr. Shaquinta Bevans, Career Development Program Specialist
