LARA Educational Opportunities

Congratulations to the 2025-2026 Graduates of LARA Kokomo! 🎓

We were proud to celebrate 14 graduates this spring, with 7 graduates participating in our commencement ceremony surrounded by more than 100 family members and friends.

The photos capture special moments from before and during the ceremony, including graduates gathering with classmates and loved ones, the procession led by Board President Corie Shaner, and Executive Director Julie Hackerd addressing the graduating class. These images reflect the pride, excitement, and sense of accomplishment that filled the day.

A special thank you to Board President Corie Shaner for leading the graduation procession. We also appreciate dedication of their teacher, Janet Geier-Moriarty, and Sara Beck, who joined us in celebrating our students' achievements.

The ceremony concluded with a celebration featuring food, cake, and fellowship as graduates, families, and friends came together to honor this important milestone.

Congratulations to all of our graduates! Your hard work, perseverance, and dedication have paid off, and we are excited to see what the future holds for each of you. 🎉🎓

David Betourne is up soon in the Preliminary Round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

GO DAVID!!!

Watch him live here: https://www.spellingbee.com/?utm_source=Regional+Partners&utm_campaign=26fb0c0c62-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_BeeWeekBuzz_Monday_2026_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_46ead0d3d9-26fb0c0c62-212905251

At LARA Educational Opportunities, every step forward matters!

Shoniah and Khyra are putting in hard work studying for their High School Equivalency Diploma with the support of their teacher, Janet, at our Kokomo site. We are proud of their dedication, determination, and commitment to building brighter futures.

It’s never too late to continue your education and reach your goals. We are cheering them every step of the way!

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and I want to recognize four incredible teachers at our Lafayette site: Piper, Gidget, Trinda, and Cheryl! Your dedication, passion, and care for our students truly make a difference. Thank you for all that you do—we appreciate you so much!

We're hiring Student Success Associates! Join our team in supporting student achievement--proctoring exams, handling administrative tasks, and providing outstanding customer service. Part-time and Full-time roles available.

Apply now and help students succeed!

The United Way of Greater Lafayette Golden Gift of Time Award is bestowed upon volunteer Joann Clark, who has been volunteering with LARA since 1982.

Thank you Joann, for your dedication and commitment to LARA students.

Grateful for our volunteers and the United Way of Greater Lafayette for their recognition luncheon.

We were proud to attend the COABE National Conference this year, hosted by Indiana! Thank you to the Department of Workforce Development for making this opportunity possible.

I’m so grateful for our team’s commitment to growing their knowledge and strengthening their teaching to better serve our students every day. 🏎️❤️

Our amazing adult education students had a wonderful day exploring downtown! 🌆✨

From discovering local businesses to learning about popular community hot spots, this trip was all about connecting classroom learning to real-life experiences. It was inspiring to see our students engaged, curious, and enjoying time together outside the classroom.

We’re so proud of their enthusiasm and willingness to learn and grow every day. Experiences like these truly bring learning to life! 💙

📢TRAINING OPPORTUNITY 📢

Who do you know in Tippecanoe County that:

➡️ Likes to build things
➡️ Is searching for a rewarding career
➡️ Would be interested in a career in Construction

We are hoping to start this training on February 17.

Interested folks need to apply at www.laralafayette.org