Graduation speeches are always full of inspiration and advice, particularly about the value of hard work and never giving up on your dreams.
For the Dover Adult Learning Center (DALC) class of 2026, the phrase, “It’s never too late,” has never been truer as the graduates ranged in age from 16 to 71. They came from every school district and nearly every town in Strafford County, with five completing high school while incarcerated at the county jail.
At the ceremony Tuesday night, at Dover High School auditorium, 68 graduates received an adult high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate.
Completing high school is an accomplishment worth celebrating under any circumstances, said DALC Executive Director Deanna Strand. But doing after leaving the traditional pathway or returning to school after years away requires extraordinary perseverance.
“Your resilience is an inspiration to us all,” said Strand. “Tonight is about more than a diploma or a certificate. It is a celebration of your grit, your growth, and your belief that a better future is worth fighting for.”
Strand also acknowledged the support of family and friends, teachers, counselors, staff and volunteers, as well as the role DALC Board, the City of Dover and the school district for making adult education a priority.
Dover Mayor Dennis Shanahan said the ceremony was indeed a celebration of resilience and that DALC exists because the community cares and recognizes its value.
“We want you to know that we are behind you and are going to stay behind you and anyone else who wants to come through the Dover Adult Learning Center.” Said Shanahan. “You’ve shown discipline; you’ve also shown that hope backed by action is one of the strongest forces in the world. So be proud of every small victory.”
Dover School District Superintendent, Dr. Christine Boston, shared her own challenges of a non-traditional education. Taking classes at night while working and raising her children. When she earned her master’s, she thought she was done but would go on to get a doctorate.
“This story is not about becoming superintendent; it’s about the people who believed in me before I could believe in myself,” said Boston. “People who tapped me on the shoulder and helped me see what was possible. Dover Adult Learning Center is full of those people.”
Boston challenged the graduates to become that person for others. “When you no longer need that tap on the shoulder, I want you to become that person for someone else. Be the one who lifts others up and sees possibilities they can’t yet see themselves.”
Each year, DALC recognizes a distinguished graduate, and this year’s graduate was already helping others as he worked to reach his goal at 71.
Gerald Kean left school at 16 to go to work and help support his family after his father became disabled and was unable to work. Returning to school 54 years later, determined to obtain his high school credential, he began classes at DALC in 2024.
Keane said he was successful because of the great people around him. Especially his teacher Jill Hampton McCarthy, who he insisted stand beside him on stage. He also credits his friend Tim Bryant.
He brought humor and a positive attitude to class, inspiring and encouraging others in the program, including many younger students, through his own exceptional work ethic, wisdom and life experience.
Finishing his education in only 15 months while working full time, including many overtime shifts,
He was the first of 13 siblings in his family to finish high school.
Essay Contest Winners
Two students were recognized in DALC’s annual essay contest answering the question, “What I have learned about myself through my adult education experience?” The first-place winner receives $200 and the second-place prize is $100.
Reading her essay from the stage, second-place winner Karli Cutter, shared that she had grown to love learning and attending school every day.
“I was succeeding, academically, in ways I never thought possible. Enter 2020. What began as a great year—my senior year, was promptly flipped on its head due to a world changing event: The Covid19 pandemic.
The years away from school gave her time to realize what she had wanted to do with her future, but she felt shame at being so far behind.
“I can assure myself that breaking cycles and moving forward is possible, that I can succeed.
I wasn’t ‘behind’, my path was just different, and that’s okay. Now all I have left to do is to keep moving forward, and because of this opportunity, I have no doubt that I can.”
Kalee Meyer was awarded first place for her essay who shared that the past 15 years of her life have been a struggle. When she moved into a shelter, they asked what her goals were. She wanted a diploma. They told her about Dover Adult Learning Center, and she signed up right away.
“I can’t explain the joy and sense of accomplishment I felt the day I passed my last exam. I jumped out of my testing chair with excitement, my face was tingling, and I felt tears developing, said Meyer. “I walked down the hallway and with each step I took I envisioned the weight of my shoulders getting lighter. This was the day that many doors would open for me.”
Both Cutter and Meyer also received a $750 scholarship from the Rotary Club of Dover. Cutter will attend American Academy McAllister; Meyer will attend Great Bay Community College.
Crystal Page was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Empire Beauty School.
2026 Graduates
Diploma Program Graduates: Crismari De Los Santos, Michelle Goodin, Katelyn Herbert, Jonathan LaCount, Desiray LaPlante, Sarah White.
High School Equivalency Graduates: Ben Amberson, Ryder Banley-Bill, Miranda Brackett, Addie Buckley, Isabella Capano, Catherine Carroll, Vannessa Colby, Colby Crockett, Karli Cutter, Amaris Engelking, Tiffany Gagne, Corbin Green, Lorelei Hayes, Kyle Hill, Gerald Kean, Yi-Han Liou, Kimberly Magoon, Kevon Mahadeo, Lilly Manning, Elisabeth McKenzie, Robert Matteson, Kalee Meyer, Brandon Millard, Beckett Mitchell, Crystal Page, Madison Parr, Katrina Reinholz, Olivia Rooney, Trisha Thomas, Kaylee Tyo, Ashtyn Walk, Paige Phoenix Wood.