Butler Adult Education grad receives standing ovation at Commencement

At this year's Commencement, more than twenty individuals earned their high school equivalencies through the Adult Education program at Butler Community College. Among them was 56-year-old Olga Machado Perez, whose walk across the stage became one of the day's defining moments.

The final graduate of the ceremony, Machado Perez crossed the stage with the help of a walker. As she did so, the audience rose to its feet. Many of her fellow graduates joined in the applause as she accepted her diploma, bringing the ceremony to a fitting close.  

"It was amazing," Machado Perez said. "I wasn't expecting it. I will never forget it."

Instructor Devin Hamm said Machado Perez diligently completed all four sections of her GED and worked through the majority of the math portion in English, her second language. He described her as “a true inspiration to all students.”

Now living in Wichita with her husband and daughter, Machado Perez credits her instructors with encouraging her every step of the way, reminding her she was capable of reaching her goals. She now plans to continue her education by pursuing an associate degree in Human Resources.

"I have goals," she said. "It's never too late to learn."

This year’s Adult Education graduates are listed below by hometown.

Andover

Magenta Bell 
Megan Burnett 
Kayla Connell 
Joseff Ward 

Benton 

Dusty Stockton

Conway Springs 

Liezel Edwards

El Dorado 

Heather Bentz 
Rebeca Diaz 
Lukas Nathaniel Gaines 
Jeffery Kearn 
 

Fall River 

Koby Roberts 
 

Goddard 

Brooklyn Sage Gibbs

Towanda 

Jalyn Wesley Halstead

Wichita 

Gary Baxter 
Aidan Clements 
Manuel Gonzales 
Olga Machado Perez 
Ruben Moreno 
Vincent Simmons 
Nia Smith 
Patrick Dean Williams