On June 29th, the vibrant community of BCNC came together virtually to celebrate the achievements of 250 students at the 2023 Adult Education End of Year Celebration. Students, volunteers, staff, and other community members united to recognize the dedication of our students and the uplifting community at BCNC. The evening celebrated students from five levels of English for College and Career Readiness and the Parents and Caregivers class.

The evening's festivities were led by two Quincy Level 4 ESOL students, Min Zhang and Jennifer Zhenfeng Sun. The celebration began with congratulations from BCNC CEO Ben Hires, who praised the students for their commitment to learning and their hard work over the last year.

Throughout the evening, student speakers took the virtual stage, sharing valuable insights and extending warm wishes to their peers. Xiaoyun Li and Marcos Andino from Level 1 class congratulated their fellow students while expressing gratitude to BCNC teachers and staff for their support.

Attendees then enjoyed a video highlighting memories of the past year (see video).

Nannan Shi, a student from Quincy Level 1, described the encouragement she receives from her fellow students. This fellowship and support within the BCNC community are what make the program exceptional.

Mary He, a Level 3 Boston student, said, "At BCNC, I learned how to talk with my friends confidently, how to make doctor appointments, and how to adjust to American life quickly. I want to say BCNC changed my life."

Next, Adult Education Director Stephen Hunter took the opportunity to commend BCNC students, volunteers, and staff for their dedication and hard work over the past year.

Special recognition was also given to two outstanding individuals. Jim Loughlin, the longest-serving volunteer at BCNC, was honored for his 30 years of commitment to the community. Jai Lu, an Americorps Volunteer with the New Americans Integration Program, was recognized for her year of service to BCNC.

The event culminated in a group picture of all attendees. A virtual toast was raised to celebrate the successes of the past year and to look forward to an even brighter future for all BCNC students and their families.