MTI Students Inducted into National Adult Honor Society

BRADENTON — 18 Manatee Technical Institute students became members of the National Adult Education Honor Society last week in a ceremony at Bayshore High School. The NAEHS was founded in 1991 to recognize the sacrifices and efforts of adult education students. 

The students' stories demonstrate a deep commitment to overcoming obstacles and adversity in order to move forward in life pursuits.

Sandra Hernandez was a project manager in her native Colombia, with several degrees in environmental engineering. Hernandez is working as a housekeeper while she attends MTI to learn English. 

Rosalia Morente left school in the 3rd grade to work with her family as a migrant farm worker. After suffering many other hardships, Morente is working towards earning her GED so she can enroll in Cosmetology. 

Marco Romero has a disability. Each morning he gets up before 5 a.m. and takes the bus to MTI from his home on Anna Maria Island. Still Romero managed perfect attendance, arriving each day with a smile and a warm greeting for students and staff. 

Joining Hernandez, Morente and Romero were nominees Victoria Acosta, Paule-Danie Chery, Florencia Churi, Monica Galvan, Earnestine Green, Karla P. Guardado Aquino, Marcus J. Kemp, Claudia Lambert, Crystal Leach, Maria Lopez, Blanca Perez, Yoali G. Ramirez-Cassilas, Violeta Rodriguez, Erica Vega, and Ana Maria Viegas. Marisol Marin was also nominated but unable to attend.  

School board members Karen Carpenter and David Miner and adult, career and technical education director Doug Wagner congratulated students, while MTI assistant director Linda Agresta told their stories, while North Campus coordinator Vicky Rowe handed each student their membership certificate and pin. Family and friends then pinned each of the inductees.

MTI student Erica Vega is pinned by her daughter as adult, career and technical education director Doug Wagner prepares to congratulate her for her nomination into the National Adult Education Honor Society

About half of the students in the group are working towards a GED; the other half are learning English as a secondary language. The students were nominated for their attendance, cooperation and self-reliance.

The chapter is named for Lee Carter Brown, daughter of retired adult education coordinator Suzanne Paul and a strong advocate of literacy programs. Ms. Paul attended the ceremony, as she has every year since its inception.