GED graduate joins academic honorary

By Staff
STAYING FOCUSED n East Mississippi Community College student Shawntez Williams receives instruction from Adult Basic Education instructor Marian Sam. Williams was
encouraged by Sam to enroll at EMCC once he passed his General Equivalency Diploma. Submitted photo.
Special to The Star
FEB. 22, 2001
SCOOBA In less than a year's time, Shawntez Williams passed his General Equivalency Diploma (GED), enrolled in college courses at East Mississippi Community College and has become a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the nationwide community college academic honorary society.
The Scooba resident said he decided to get his GED because, "It was something that I felt I needed to have. Earlier in my life, I was in and out of trouble. I decided to enroll in the GED class and Mrs. (Marion) Sam encouraged me to continue with my education."
Once he passed his GED, Williams was encouraged to enroll at EMCC by Sam, the Adult Basic Education instructor at ECCC.
He passed his GED test on his first try and enrolled in EMCC classes in the spring of 2000. Williams, who has a 3.9 grade point average, was recently contacted by PTK advisors about joining the elite organization.
Williams plans to attend Mississippi State University and receive a bachelor's degree. He offers the following advice to people considering Adult Basic Education classes: