Family, friends and administrators gathered on June 5 to celebrate the Boothbay Region Adult and Community Education (BRACE) graduation of Andrew Gudroe, its third and final graduate of the 2023-2024 school year. Gudroe was recognized in a ceremony with comments from director Rachelle (Raye) Leonard and adult education instructor Margit Ahlin. Superintendent Robert Kahler presented the diploma and extended congratulations.

Gudroe completed exams in reading, writing, math, social studies and science, requirements for earning a high school equivalency diploma. The Boothbay program offers a pathway to high school completion through the High School Equivalency Tests (HiSET, formerly GED).

“My parents, my friends, my bosses at work Stephanie Hawke and Alan Williams, have been my biggest cheerleaders, and especially my girlfriend Natalie Mayotte. She’s the inspiration for this,” said Gudroe.

“Andrew started in December 2023 with the goal to complete in time for a May graduation,” said Ahlin. “He knocked the reading portion out immediately, scoring significantly higher than he expected.”

“Students tend to put off the subject they’re least confident in for last. For Andrew, that was math,” said Leonard.

“A lot of hard work and sticking to it, even on the days I didn’t want to, is what led to this moment,” said Gudroe. “I’d like to thank the teachers for their support that got me here today. They did so much to help me.”

“It takes a lot of persistence. The graduates work hard, balancing their education with work and life tries to take over, things come up, but I’m continually impressed with their ability to persevere,” said Kahler. “And our adult education program does great work fostering their successes.”

The celebration culminated in cake, conversation, and photos with family and friends.

Boothbay Region Adult & Community Education offers high school completion, career and college advising, workforce preparation, and enrichment courses to adults in Alternative Organizational Structure (AOS) 98, including Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, Georgetown and Southport. For more information, visit www.boothbayae.maineadulted.org, or email director Leonard at rleonard@aos98schools.org

Gudroe is a Boothbay Harbor native, a mechanic at Hawke Motors, and famed for running 93 lobster crates 10 years ago in the harbor competition.