ATLANTA—Centro Hispano Marista, also known as the Marist Hispanic Center, recently held its third commencement ceremony for 63 graduates at Marist School.

The program director of Centro Hispano Marista, Dr. Leticia Valencia, greeted the graduates and guests. Marist Father John Harhager, president of Marist School, said, “While you may not notice an immediate change in your lives as a result of your graduation, the diplomas you receive today represent a turning point for you. Take advantage of what your graduation signifies and the opportunities presented to you.”

Centro Hispano Marista, with more than 55 teacher volunteers, eight tutors, and 75 Marist student volunteers, encourages its students to dream big.

Sandra Ferreras, a 2016 graduate of Centro Hispano Marista, was the keynote speaker at the GED graduation. Valedictorian of the 2016 class was Oralia Estrada Plascencia.

The Centro Hispano Marista is a program for Hispanic adults that opened with the help of the Society of Mary at Marist School in August 2012. It offers Hispanic adults an opportunity to obtain their high school equivalency certification to pursue higher education and to obtain better jobs. More than 650 students enroll every year. For more information, visit www.centrohispanomarista.org.