STAMBAUGH EARNS GED THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF JOHNSON COUNTY FARM BUREAU

A Facebook message literally changed Wayne Stambaughs life.

The 29-year-old Paintsville resident asked the simple question on Facebook one day as to why most jobs require a high school diploma or GED. A friend responded with the question: Why dont you have your GED.

For Stambaugh, it wasnt for a lack of determination. It was a lack of finances.

I never thought I couldnt pass the test, he said. I thought I couldnt afford the test.

Enter Johnson County Adult Education and the support of the Johnson County Farm Bureau and its Board of Directors as well Treasurer Greg Meade and President Roger Murray. Stambaugh couldnt afford not to take the test.

Someone told me to call Dr. [Jennifer] Leedy, and I did,amp;rdrdquo; said Stambaugh. Dr. Jennifer Leedy is the director of the Johnson County Adult Education program on the Mayo campus of Big Sandy Community and Technical College. I went in on a Monday and started on a Tuesday. I learned about the program from the Johnson County Farm Bureau and how they would help me cover the cost of taking the GED test.

Three weeks from the time he enrolled, he passed his GED, scoring honors and in the 90th percentile in two areas. He will pursue an automotive collision repair credential from Big Sandy Community and Technical College in January.

We work diligently to try to remove any barriers students face in obtaining their GED, said Dr. Leedy. It is so humbling to work with students and help them navigate the waters of getting their GED. We couldnt do it without our staff and great community partners like the Johnson County Farm Bureau.

For Stambaugh, the sky is the limit.

Without knowledge, we are nothing, he said. I feel like I have something that no one can take away from me.