Portland Adult Education (PAE) hosted its 177th graduation ceremony on June 25 at Merrill Auditorium. The event included remarks from PAE administration and staff, Superintendent Ryan Scallon and student speakers, as well as the awarding of scholarships, commendations to graduates and musical performances.

Scallon said the evening was a way “to showcase the dedication and perseverance of our 120 graduates – and also to highlight the importance of lifelong learning.”

He noted that, “for nearly two centuries, Portland Adult Education has stood as a beacon of opportunity, evolving with the needs of our community and consistently opening doors for countless individuals. It is truly remarkable that this program, with such a rich history, is not only one of the oldest but also the largest school in our district, serving about 2,000 learners each year.”

Scallon told the Class of 2025 that they are “the latest to take advantage of the variety of learning PAE offers – academic and English language classes and enrichment  and workforce classes – to achieve your educational, professional, and personal goals. Many of you have overcome so much to get to this stage. While studying at PAE, members of this class have worked jobs, taken care of family members, experienced homelessness, adapted to a new country and language and made their way through deeply personal experiences.”

Adult education diplomas are earned in two ways. Students either successfully complete classes that award academic credits or pass the HiSET, a comprehensive high school equivalency test.

PAE teacher Rochelle Yanike Hale, serving as master of ceremonies, provided some impressive statistics about the Class of 2025.

She said it is PAE’s largest class in more than a decade, with 59 students earning a diploma by taking many classes over a number of years and with 61 graduates successfully preparing to pass the HiSET exam, which Yanike Hale noted is “a challenging test that is particularly difficult when you have been out of school for years or are taking it in your third language.”
She said all members of the class of 2025 are eligible for the state’s Free College Scholarship at Maine’s community colleges, and 74 percent plan to continue their education. “These graduates work incredibly hard and believe in learning,” she said. “This class represents the best of Maine.”

Scallon also noted that many of the graduates are the parents of students in PPS elementary, middle and high schools. “Thank you for setting such a positive example of the importance of learning and setting and reaching goals to all our students across the district,” he said. 

The superintendent also recognized PAE teachers, support staff, administration and dedicated volunteers. “Your passion, expertise, and commitment to creating a supportive and effective learning environment at PAE are truly extraordinary,” he said. “You have guided, mentored, and inspired these students every step of the way, and we are immensely grateful for your tireless efforts.”

PAE Executive Director Abbie Yamamoto also spoke. She praised the graduates for completing high school “while balancing a myriad of responsibilities” and called them “changemakers who will continue to change this world.”

Two Class of 2025 speakers shared their stories at graduation.

Gisele spoke of the challenge of learning in English, which is not her mother tongue, but she said PAE teachers “who truly cared,” not only helped her learn the material but “boosted my confidence.” PAE, she said, “is more than a place of learning.” She urged graduates to “remind ourselves that kindness and understanding can build bridges across cultures.”

The second speaker, Moawia, also described the challenges of learning when he at first didn’t understand English, but said he succeeded by working hard and not giving up. He told his fellow graduates: “Just believe in yourself and work hard. You don’t have to be perfect, just keep going.”

A variety of scholarships also were awarded to students. One graduate won a scholarship honoring her commitment for finally earning her high school diploma after 25 years, persevering despite many life interruptions along the way.

Earlier that day, PAE also held a workforce graduation ceremony for 65 students, who earned certificates in fields that included heat pump and solar panel installation, healthcare and bank teller training.

The Portland Public Schools is Maine’s largest school district, with nearly 6,500 students, and it’s also the most diverse. About one-third of the district’s students come from homes where languages other than English are spoken—a total of 59 languages. Approximately 47 percent of the district’s students are white and 53 percent are students of color. More than half of all PPS students are economically disadvantaged.