‘Pomp and Circumstance’ at any age: Richmond library GED program opens doors

It looked like many other graduations.

Gold, black and white balloons were plentiful. There were black gift bags with gold stars. Family members and friends chatted excitedly in small groups.

The graduates, adorned in traditional caps and gowns, even walked into the room at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium to the familiar sound of “Pomp and Circumstance.”

However, this was not your ordinary celebration honoring teens for completing high school.

These graduates were people ages 18 to 72 who were receiving diploma-like certificates for passing the General Education Development (GED) exam, an alternative for those unable to follow a traditional high school educational path. 

“It re-creates something for them that was lost,” said Abigail Sims-Evelyn, program manager of the Richmond Public Library’s Literacy for Every Adult Program (LEAP). “This is a rite of passage. It’s so treasured. It doesn’t matter how old you are.”

LEAP was founded in Richmond in 1984 with the knowledge that 1-in-5 adults nationally lack basic literacy skills. The free program, initially focused on improving  clients’ basic reading and writing skills, has expanded over the decades to include services such as preparing residents to take the GED, an exam that covers math, language arts, science and social studies. The four parts can be taken separately. In all, the exam takes about seven hours. Educators advise applicants to take a GED prep course such as LEAP before attempting to pass this rigorous exam.

Sims-Evelyn has been with the LEAP program since its start. The first group she helped shepherd included her mother, a Richmond resident who raised 12 children.

Sims-Evelyn’s mother, Mary Magdalene Sims, had told her daughter that she struggled to read even basic sentences. Sims-Evelyn said this is not unusual. People who lack literacy skills often hide it and find alternative ways to function in society.

However, this basic lack of skills can prevent people from obtaining jobs that pay well and make everyday tasks such as reading informational signs difficult.

Beyond that, it often leads to a sense of inadequacy or even failure.

“The main goal here is to provide educational skills that allow someone to function independently,” Sims-Evelyn said.

She noted after completing LEAP’s program, her mother felt more comfortable functioning in the community. She eventually took courses at Contra Costa College and wrote songs.

Sims-Evelyn was inspired by her mother’s success and has continued to work at  LEAP for 40 years.

LEAP expanded to provide ESL, computer and math skills

Over the decades, LEAP expanded to provide resources for English learners, computer literacy and math skills.

The program is open to anyone who needs it, but Richmond residents are its target population. Sims-Evelyn estimates that LEAP, which is funded by the city as well as by grants, has helped thousands of people over its 40-year existence.

One of LEAP’s primary focuses today is on preparing people without high school diplomas to take the GED exam.

The program organizes small group lessons and provides one-on-one instruction.

Sims-Evelyn said people who pass the GED exam can function more smoothly in society and are able to secure entry-level jobs that require high school diplomas. They also simply feel better about themselves.

“It affects them emotionally,” she said. “And it’s the key to opening so many doors.”

LEAP holds anywhere from one to three GED graduations annually, depending on how many people complete the program.

There was just one in 2024. Of this year’s 16 graduates, nine were able to attend the upbeat and festive Sept. 6 ceremony in the lobby of the Richmond Memorial Auditorium.

LEAP staff members went all out to make it special. Besides the balloons and uplifting music, there were photos of the graduates and tables reserved for all the families, who enjoyed a catered meal afterward.

Graduates also received certificates of recognition from Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez as well as Harpreet Sandhu, the senior district representative for Rep. John Garamendi.  Martinez and Sandhu both attended the ceremony.

LEAP grads say GED is opening new doors for them

The youngest graduate was 18-year-old Lance Dopp.

He was attending Pinole Valley High School two years ago when he enrolled in the Gateway to College program at Contra Costa Community College to obtain his diploma. However, that program was abruptly shut down by the West Contra Costa Unified School District in early 2024 due to funding issues.

That left students such as Dopp without an alternative to high school.

Dopp said he applied for several entry-level jobs but was told he needed a diploma or his GED. He decided to enlist in the Army but was again told he needed a diploma.

So, Dopp enrolled in the LEAP program. Within a couple of months, he had passed the GED exam.

“It means a lot. You can’t do a lot without it,” Dopp told Richmondside.

He has now been accepted into the Army and will be at boot camp within a month. He said the graduation ceremony with cheering family and friends was special. 

“It’s cool to celebrate this,” he said. “It’s a big accomplishment for everybody here.”

Oldest GED grad, 72, isn’t finished. Next: A liberal arts degree at CCC

The oldest graduate of LEAP’s Class of 2024 was 72-year-old Bette Ferguson.

The Richmond native dropped out of high school when she got married at 16. She eventually raised three sons and had a successful career. For decades, she owned Bette’s En Vogue Hair Design salon on 13^th Street.

Ferguson always meant to go back and get her high school diploma, but life kept getting in the way.

She finally enrolled in LEAP and passed her GED exam last December.

“I have now completed what I should have finished a long time ago,” she told Richmondside.

Ferguson is now retired from work but not life. She is enrolled at Contra Costa Community College and pursuing a liberal arts degree.

“I’m going strong. Why would I stop?” she said.

Honoring her brother’s passing by passing her GED on fourth try

That was the basic message delivered by Daymishanique “Mimi” Turner during her speech as the student speaker for the Class of 2024.

Turner dropped out of high school several years ago. She had no money and no job when she gave birth to her son in August 2023.

She had enrolled and then quit the LEAP program on three separate occasions. After her son’s birth, she was determined to make it work on her fourth try.

The program was so helpful to her that she encouraged her 18-year-old brother to give it a try. However, he died suddenly earlier this year before enrolling.

Turner broke down while telling this story during her graduation speech. She was able to continue with the encouragement of the cheering crowd.

Her brother’s death, she said, “Gave me more motivation to get my GED.”

She is now attending Contra Costa Community College and plans to eventually become a nurse and work in a maternity ward in a hospital.

She had one simple message for her fellow graduates.

“Don’t stop,” she told them.