Even with more than 25 years of experience in adult education, Dr. Eduardo Honold proudly proclaimed that the excitement and emotions of graduation day never get old.

As Harris County Department of Education’s (HCDE) Adult Education Senior Director, Honold stood at the podium on June 21 to recognize and celebrate more than 120 Adult Education students who earned their high school equivalency diplomas (HSE), formerly known as GED, during the 2024-2025 school year.

Family members, friends and HCDE staff were equally elated, demonstrated by the raucous applause and cheers the graduates heard as they filed into the Irvington Conference Center.

“At HCDE, we truly believe that education is the key to personal and community growth,” Honold said in his welcoming address for the graduation ceremony.

As of June 21, a total of 269 HCDE Adult Education students completed and earned their HSE diplomas for the school year. The number is approximately 100 more than the previous year and 150 more than the 2022-2023 school year.

The record total is not only a reflection on division leadership, but it’s teachers and support staff who assist students from registration to graduation – and even beyond as many enter workforce and certification training.

“What an incredible moment this is, not just for me but every single one of you here today,” said graduate Emilio Lopez Jr., who offered words of motivation during the ceremony. “Each cap and gown in this room represents strength, perseverance and belief that we can and we will become anything life throws at us.”

Like many others, Lopez began his journey toward his GED diploma later in life after adversity in his younger days. He shared that he made poor decisions – ones he later regretted after they compounded and snowballed into more ill-advised decisions and outcomes.

As a young father, Lopez stepped away from traditional education in 10th grade.

“I tried life without a foundation of education and a high school diploma and quickly realized how difficult that road could be,” he said.

His road didn’t end, however. Lopez gained valuable skills and experience in the workplace, climbing to a corporate senior recruiter. But he also wanted to return to his formal education and complete that task.

“Something inside me told me I wasn’t finished,” he said. “I wanted to close the chapter that opened up and rewrite it this time with intention. For every person who doubted what’s possible, earning my GED was a way to prove to myself that I could overcome challenges and create something meaningful from my experience.

“And more importantly, it was a way to show my family that with dedication and hard work in yourself, progress is always possible.”

The graduation, which returned to an in-person ceremony in 2023 following a years-long hiatus, has already grown to capacity numbers. The Irvington conference space was filled as the increased number of graduates meant limiting guests per honoree. An overflow room helped accommodate additional guests, while record numbers watched the ceremony’s livestream on HCDE’s YouTube channel. The video was viewed more than 1,000 times within 48 hours.

During the ceremony, attendees heard from honor graduates Mark Batson and Shelby Cruz in addition to Lopez. They led the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, respectively.

Isaac Eguia, community relations specialist for the Office of County Judge Lina Hidalgo, delivered the commencement address.

“Today we celebrate not just the completion of your GED, but the grit, determination and resilience it took you to get here,” he said. “The theme of today’s ceremony – ‘I can. I will.’ – couldn’t be more fitting. It perfectly captures the spirit of progress. One step at a time. One milestone at a time.

“This has brought each of you to this point.”

Eguia shared his own story, which included academic suspension from the University of Houston-Downtown more than 20 years ago due to a poor GPA. It wasn’t until he worked in Alief Independent School District a decade later as a family and community liaison that the spark to complete his education returned.

Eguia was serving families like his own and even prepared many for GED diplomas, but he needed more.

“I knew if I wanted to make decisions for my community, I needed to be an educated person in my community,” said Eguia, who graduated with honors from UHD in 2020 and earned a master’s degree from the University of Houston last year. “I did it and I know you can too.”

Following the speeches, it was time to cheer again. Family members shouted out as each graduate crossed the stage and posed for photos. Finally, it was time to turn their tassels and move onto the next adventure in life.

“As you move forward, take pride in what you achieved,” Honold said. “This is just the beginning. The knowledge and experience you’ve gained will open doors to more opportunities, and don’t forget that HCDE is right here for you.

“Always continue to move forward and take the next step. Congratulations Class of 2025 – may your future be as big and bright as the great state of Texas.”