BELFAST — The new face in Belfast Adult Education’s main office was on the other side of the desk as a student less than a year ago. In Fall 2017, Patty Edgecomb came to Belfast Adult Education (BAE) with a specific goal: to complete the courses she needed to achieve her high school diploma. She never dreamed she would end up embarking on a new career less than a month after graduation in the very place where she achieved her high school diploma, according to a news release.

Patty left high school in her senior year when her son was born premature, and she was not able to come back to summer school to earn the credits she needed to graduate. She took a job at Mathews Brothers in 1985 to support her son and worked there until she started her own cleaning business in 1991. Not having her high school diploma did not keep Patty from excelling in a cleaning business with 20 clients and several employees while she also raised a family, but it was always in the back of her mind. 

When life took an unexpected twist in 2010 with her husband’s cancer diagnosis, Patty closed Edgecomb Cleaning to support her husband while he underwent treatment. A new chapter started in 2016 when Patty and her husband found themselves raising their grandson, but Patty did not let that stop her from going back to school.

In 2017, she decided there would never be a perfect time to get her high school diploma, so she jumped in and finished her coursework in time to graduate this past June. Setting a good example for her grandson and accomplishing a goal that both of her sons had achieved were two of the factors that kept Patty motivated. 

Patty’s friendly manner, enthusiasm for learning, and passion for helping people will be a tremendous asset to BAE and the community. She hopes her story will inspire others who need to complete high school to pursue their goals.

When asked if there was anything about her experience at BAE that really stood out, Patty responded: “All of the classes and the staff gave me a tremendous boost in confidence to achieve my goal. Learning how to create a resume and doing mock interviews as part of the WorkReady program raised my self-esteem. Without these skills, I never would have applied for this position.”

Staff and students will always fondly remember JoDelle Rolerson, who retired at the end of June from her position as Program Assistant after 19 years of service. She touched the lives of everyone who came in contact with Belfast Adult Education, and she will be greatly missed!