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DAYTON — Dayton-area students of all ages proved it's never too late to finish what you started.

Supporters couldn't withhold their excitement as about 100 received their General Educational Development diplomas at the Dayton Masonic Temple on Thursday evening, May 29.

Graduates attended classes through Dayton Public School's Adult Basic and Literacy Education program and other area GED programs. About 500 area residents actually earned their GED diploma in this session of the program.

Brandy Peterson, 29, a single mother of three, passed the Ohio Department of Education test on her third try since she dropped out more than 10 years ago.

"It is overwhelming to me because I did it. I felt a sense of accomplishment like if I can do this I can do anything," said Peterson, a full-time student at Miami University-Middletown's nursing program who works at the Dayton VA Medical Center.

In Dayton, 21 percent of adults age 25 and older have not graduated high school, according to the 2006 census.

Students had to pass all five sections of the test to earn an Ohio High School Equivalence Diploma.

Lisa Enright, the Dayton Urban League's GED coordinator and teacher, said 97 percent of her graduates go on to work or college, 70 percent of those continuing their education.

Her students ranged from age 17 to 53. The oldest worked the hardest, she said.

"So many won't just put the effort into it that the older ones do," she said. "They want GED drive-through."

Like many, Peterson was determined to complete the program for her children, the oldest of whom she had at age 17. "They are my motivation."

Brian Davis, 40, said it took him 22 years and a lot of battles, including alcohol and drug addictions.

"I never thought I'd see this day," he said.

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