The Escambia County Corrections Department proudly recognized three Jail GED Program graduates with a ceremony Wednesday, June 13 at the Escambia County Jail, celebrating their dedication to achieving educational goals.
Courtney Dunlavy, 27, Darquavious Hamilton, 21, and Toya Patterson, 22, earned their GED diplomas through the program while incarcerated.
At the ceremony, Escambia County Jail Commander and Interim Corrections Director Selina Barnes commended the graduates for their accomplishment and encouraged them to work toward their goals.
"Take this, learn from it," Barnes said. "If we can change any one of your lives, then we've done something right."
Each of the graduates expressed a specific goal they plan to purse once they are released.
- Dunlavy plans to attend college and study counseling so she can help troubled youth.
- Hamilton plans to attend college to study business management and real estate, with a goal of eventually joining the Air Force.
- Patterson plans to attend college and study to become a nurse or nursing assistant.
Other ceremony attendees included Officer in Charge of Security 1st Lt. Jason Walker, program coordinators Donna Wilson and Sean Parker and instructors Rayshell Fairley and Charles Hall, along with graduates' family members.
The Escambia County Corrections Department has offered a GED program for many years, becoming a certified testing center through the Florida Department of Education in 2014.
Darquavious Hamilton, Toya Patterson and Courtney Dunlavy graduated with their GED diploma Wednesday, June 13 at the Escambia County Jail.
Instructor Rayshell Fairley recognizes Courtney Dunlavy with her diploma at a GED graduation ceremony at the Escambia County Jail.
Instructor Charles Hall recognizes Darquavious Hamilton with his diploma at a GED graduation ceremony at the Escambia County Jail.
Instructor Rayshell Fairley recognizes Toya Patterson with her diploma at a GED graduation ceremony at the Escambia County Jail.
