Portland Adult Education (PAE) hosted its 178th graduation ceremony on June 17 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.

PAE educator Rochelle Yanike Hale, serving as master of ceremonies, said the Class of 2026, with 139 members, represented the largest number of graduates in two decades. “Resilience defines this class,” she said. She and other speakers described instances of class members’ perseverance.

For example, Yanike Hale said, “Nearly 20 graduates started their education in one of Portland’s high schools before reaching the age of 20 and coming to PAE to finish their credential.”

Adult education diplomas are earned in two ways. Students either successfully complete classes that award academic credits or pass the HiSET, a challenging, comprehensive high school equivalency test. Yanike Hale said one graduate worked very hard to pass the HiSet—and finally did it on their eighth attempt.

She also noted that some graduates had to switch to hybrid classes that PAE began offering earlier this year during a time of fear and anxiety caused by reports and rumors of increased immigration enforcement, but they didn’t let that stop them from learning.

The graduates, she said, “have earned these caps and gowns this evening.”

The superintendent noted that the Class of 2026 is part of a long tradition. “For nearly two centuries, Portland Adult Education has been a beacon of opportunity, and today it is our district’s largest school, serving about 2,000 learners each year through academic, English language, enrichment and workforce classes,” Scallon said.

He called the Class of 2026 “inspiring,” saying: “Graduates, you reached this stage through grit, sacrifice and determination that deserve our highest praise.” He said they earned their high school diplomas while balancing the many demands of adult life, such as working full time and being responsible for family members. “Many of you are parents of students in our own schools, and you have modeled the ultimate lesson for your children: that it is never too late to learn, to grow and to reach for a better future,” Scallon said.

He said the students’ “hard work has already unlocked new doors. About 76% of tonight’s 139 graduates plan to continue their education, and every one of you is now eligible for Free College within Maine’s Community College System. Whether your next step is more school, a new career or a move forward in your current field, you leave here ready to succeed.”

PAE Interim Executive Director Kate Hersom told the graduates that signing their diplomas was “one of the highest privileges of my career.” Despite confronting many challenges while studying to earn them, she said, “you have shown up and tried your hardest to obtain this goal.”

Hersom also thanked the faculty and staff, whom she called “Team PAE,” for creating “a safe, supportive and rigorous learning community for our students.” She also thanked the more than 200 volunteers who support PAE.

Two Class of 2026 speakers shared their stories at graduation.

Helga, who already has a degree in human resources management from her home country but wanted to earn a high school diploma so she could further her education here, told of experiencing burnout because she was working so hard to meet the demands of adult life and studying. “I had so many dreams and plans, I forgot I was a person,” she said.

But she said that “one of the best teachers in the world”—Rochelle Yanike Hale—noticed how stressed she was and told her to rest and take care of herself. After following that advice, Helga was able to successfully earn her diploma. “Don’t give up,” she advised her classmates.

The second speaker, Alice, talked about her determination to learn English and get an education despite the challenges of being a single mother. She said she knew that “education will open doors and help me achieve goals that seemed out of reach.” She also wanted to create a better future for her son and to “become a better version of myself.” She told her fellow graduates: “Trust in your dream. You can do it.”

Alice and Helga were awarded scholarships to help them continue their education, as were a number of other graduates.