
We’ve been able to make a difference in 10,000 plus lives and we’ll continue to do so in the future.” “I’m sure on day one that they never thought we’d ever get to 10,000. “We have surpassed 10,000 graduates here at the Army National Guard GED Plus program,” said Maguire to the 65 graduates and family members attending the ceremony. The program graduated 493 recruits in its initial year and swelled to a current through-put of approximately 3,000 per year. Maguire, neither did the leadership of the Army National Guard when they instituted the GED Plus Program in 2006. Like many other former high school dropouts, Blackwood didn’t listen to the naysayers of the world who told him he wouldn’t amount to anything or would never make it in the military. Then I sat around for two years not knowing what I was going to do with my life. “I dropped out high school to help my ailing mother and provide for my family. “I came from a poor family,” Blackwood said. “This is a big achievement for GED Plus.”īlackwood had his share of adversity during his adolescence growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “It wasn’t just because I was proud and honored to be the 10,000 graduate, but the fact that I am representing everyone else who has done it too,” said Blackwood. Little did he know that his accomplishment would represent all of those who came before him. For Blackwood, it was one of the first milestones he had ever achieved.

Corey Blackwood smiled as he shook hands of the official party and received his diploma from the GED Plus Commandant Lt. The Army National Guard GED Plus program surpassed another milestone Friday as the 10,000th graduate walked across the stage with his GED diploma.
