After dropping out of high school in 10th grade, Jennawade Bachmeier worked in fast food service for a year, then realized she wanted something better for herself.

"Places started to ask if I had an education, and if you say no, they look at that, and they don't really want you to work for them," Bachmeier said.

So, Bachmeier went back to school to get her General Educational Development diploma. After six months, she was asked to speak to her fellow graduating students.

The Class of 2008 GED graduation ceremony took place Friday at Dakota Middle School. The Career Learning Center of Black Hills Special Services Cooperative coordinates the GED program.

Before her speech, Bachmeier said she was overwhelmed.

"I don't know if I should cry or just be nervous," she said. "I really, really worked hard for this."

Bachmeier said her school training will change her future and give her better opportunities. She said she is excited to start college in August.

"I love furthering my mind and education. I'm just ecstatic to even go," she said.

There were 111 GED graduates, more than usual. Teacher Sally Munger said there were 87 graduates last year and called 111 graduates an "awesome" achievement. She was happy that 50 could attend the ceremony Friday.

"They really have to be dedicated to it, that's my big thing," Munger said. "If you are not dedicated, you are not going to get it done."

Commencement speaker Dion Vigil, a GED program alumnus, told the graduates that with hard work and dedication, nothing is out of reach.

Vigil pointed to his own experiences, telling how he turned around his life. He was first arrested at age 10, went on to join a gang and was introduced to drugs at age 12. He got expelled from school when he was 17.

"I came from a pretty hard life, and I woke up one day in a place I didn't want to be anymore," he said.

He resumed his education when he was 24. Vigil received his GED two years ago and just graduated in May with a business management marketing degree from Western Dakota Technical Institute.

"Anything is possible in life, … so dream big, and chase your dreams, because our world was built and is built on dreams," Vigil said.

Through tears, Bachmeier also told her class of her struggle to get her GED and how she plans to continue her education at WDTI in the fall and become a paralegal assistant.

After her speech, Bachmeier received the $500 American Association of University Women Scholarship.

Surprised, she walked to the microphone again and simply said, "Wow."

"I didn't think I could do this," Bachmeier said. "Work toward your goals, and don't stop there. Go beyond them."