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ATTLEBORO - GED recipients were celebrated Wednesday at the BCC Adult Basic Education graduation ceremony, but the graduates also celebrated their own achievements, and new start in life.

The ceremony was held in the Bristol Community College Auditorium, a first for the campus.

Class essayist Christina Monasmith recounted the challenges she faced along the way to receiving her GED.

"For a while, I didn't think I could make it," said Monasmith, a young mother who held a job and cared for her child while taking courses.

"I want to tell mothers that you can do it," she said. Helena-Jean Beland, affectionately called "Mom" by fellow students, received the award for Most Enthusiastic Participant.

A resident of Attleboro, Beland said she began taking courses toward her GED to demonstrate to her grandchildren that education is important to the family. "At first I was doing it for the grandchildren, but now it's something I want to do," said Beland, who plans to use her education to begin a new career. "I want to work and help the elderly disabled."

Now in its second year of operation, the adult basic education program has handed out general equivalency diplomas to 48 graduates.