By Mado Mbong
The Lewiston, Maine Adult Education Center, nestled at 154 Birch Street, marked a significant milestone on April 18 with the graduation of its third cohort of Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA). The school hall, adorned for the occasion, buzzed with the excitement of graduates, as well as their families and friends.
Among the guests were Elise Ann Wiley, the curriculum developer of the CNA program and a seasoned Registered Nurse with over three decades of experience; Fatma Saad, the Apprenticeship language acquisition teacher; Razell Ward, the Assistant Director of Lewiston Adult Education; and City Mayor Carl L. Sheline, who delivered some remarks of encouragement to the graduates.
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A Multilingual Celebration
The graduation was a testament to the cultural richness of Lewiston, with students conversing in Swahili, Lingala, French, Portuguese, and Somali, among other languages. Josee Castonguay, the Apprenticeship Support Manager, reflected on the beauty of this diversity. Originally from Quebec and fluent in both English and French, she said she is inspired by the students she meets and expressed a desire to learn more languages: “I get to meet so many people speaking so many languages and that makes me want to learn many more languages than just two!”
Triumphs and Aspirations
For the graduates, the day was filled with joy and feelings of accomplishment. Some shared touching moments as they watched congratulatory videos from family members abroad. Many spoke candidly about the challenges of completing the CNA course amidst ongoing efforts to master the English language. Neuse Cardoza, a new graduate, originally from Angola, pointed out; “I’m still trying to level up my English!” But all were enthusiastic about joining the healthcare field in Maine.
A Beacon of Lifelong Learning and Opportunity
Maine boasts over 65 adult education programs, and Lewiston’s center offers a number of programs in addition to English classes. For example, the Center offers a pathway to earning a high school diploma through the HiSET/GED program; training to enable people to start a career in healthcare in the U.S.; skills training for the construction industry; college and career preparation, workforce certificates in fields like CNA, Certified Medication Aid (CMA), Commercial Truck Driving (CDL). The center also provides invaluable support for college applications.
Scenes from the ceremony
