Norwich — The 41 students graduating from Norwich Regional Adult Education celebrated during a virtual Facebook ceremony Thursday, when they received words of encouragement from teachers and administrators and perspectives from classmates on the frustrations they experienced and the “second chance” the program gave them to earn their diplomas.

Graduate Attriana Banister, who attended school at the Stonington campus, said as a person with autism, depression and attention deficit disorder, she struggled with and eventually left public school. Her mother found Norwich Regional Adult Education, and Banister said she was proud to represent the Stonington campus as the student speaker.

“I am here because of two wonderful (paraeducators) and teachers who took their time to teach me. Even though some people may see me as different, I now have the very same high school diploma they earned,” Banister said.

Graduate Briana Dickerson said marriage and four children interrupted her efforts to earn her high school diploma, but after 10 years, she accomplished her goal.

“My teachers, my peers and my family, they never gave up on me,” Dickerson said. “If it wasn’t for many of my teachers here to encourage me, I don’t think I would have made it to graduation.”

The graduation ceremony video is available for viewing on the Norwich Regional Adult Education Facebook page.

Norwich Adult Education graduates: Alberthony Altoner, Nielly M. Anderson, Samuel Q. Assard, Attriana E. Banister, Caexar Bellamy, Corey A. Blyther, Josef H. Boyd III, Nicholas P. Brownlee, Cameron S. Crespo, Christiana M. Demars, Destiny L. Dement, Briana E. Dickerson, Corena Deschamps, Jami R. Dip III, Alicia J. Duarte, Daniel J. Ferdula, Jennifer M. Frechette, Bryant E.M. Jabbour, Kimberly Keller, Maximillian K. Kogut, Cody Lanphere, Thomas E. Lewis, Mialeyana M. Manko, Isaac R. Mason, Brian K. McDonald, Christina M.A. Metro, Billy D. Morisset, Ama Nyarko, Jucado Paul, Shanderlie Paul, Alicyana J. Ramos, Jannice N. Rivera, Stephanie T. Robitaille, Karicia L. Rosario, Jamyah V. Sample, David R. Sanford Jr., Tamika S. Santiago, Johnny Sossou, Kadiri T. South, Esther N. Vivier and Haley L. Wilkes.