Ellouise Lewis, a 90-year-old from Gulfport, Mississippi, has achieved a significant milestone by receiving her GED certificate, seven decades after she had to drop out of school. A graduation ceremony was held in her honor at the nursing home where she resides.

Lewis had to leave school in the 10th grade, and over the years, she always harbored a desire to complete her education. The staff at the Gulfport Care Center, where Lewis is a resident, played a crucial role in making her wish a reality. They collaborated with Wells of South Gate, a religious organization and learning center that offers adult classes.

Activity Director Lisa Perdue expressed her joy at being able to contribute to making Lewis’s dream come true, stating, “It’s a blessing to me and to my coworkers to be able to make this happen.”

Lewis successfully took and passed a mock test, becoming the organization’s first-ever recipient of an honorary GED. While it may not be an official GED, it serves as a testament to Lewis’s knowledge and determination to complete South Gate’s course.

Overwhelmed with joy, Lewis shared her feelings, saying, “When they told me here that I could get my GED, I [was] happy about it. Still happy, excuse me, because this makes me happy to know that I can do it.”