Residents invited to attend GED Week

Virginians interested in earning a General Education Development (GED) certificate can attend free open houses at all of Danville’s Adult & Career Education sites next week.

GED Week launched on Thursday night at Patrick Henry Community College, in Martinsville, with the West Piedmont Workforce Investment Board’s GED Celebration.

During the celebration, speakers talked of their educational experiences, including racecar driver Peyton Sellers.

Ashley Chandler also spoke about the importance of education. She was the first graduate of Danville’s Teen GED program this year, and plans a career in criminal justice and forensic science.

“When I first became a part of Teen GED I was labeled as the quiet girl that didn’t have many friends and that didn’t fit into any social group,” Chandler said. “As time passed by, I became more confident in myself, which helped me to come out of my shy stage.”

The official celebration kicks off in Danville at the Adult & Career Education Center, 141 Goode St., on Monday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.

On Tuesday, an open house will be held at Bibleway Family Life Center, 215 Grant St., from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m and at National College, 336 Old Riverside Drive, from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.; on Thursday, it will be held at Camp Grove Educational Opportunity Center, 337 Bradley Road, from 10 a.m. until noon.

Guests will receive a voucher for a free GED test, can see adults working on their GED certificate, find out what services are offered at each site and enjoy free refreshments. The open houses are free and open to the public. For more information, call (434) 799-6471.

Contact Denice Thibodeau at or (434) 791-7985.