Goldsboro, N.C. — Twenty students from Wayne Community College’s Quest Academy were recognized this week for completing the year-long program designed to support advanced English Language Acquisition (ELA) learners. The graduation ceremony, held in the presence of family, friends, and faculty, marked a significant milestone in the students’ personal and professional journeys.
Quest Academy, founded and coordinated by Maria Abalo-Zarate, helps high-level English learners strengthen their grammar and vocabulary while exploring career paths, preparing for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and working toward professional certifications. It also emphasizes community-building and confidence in navigating life and work in the United States.
“Thank you for giving your best and for sharing your stories, your smiles, and your light, even when the path sometimes wasn’t that easy,” Abalo-Zarate told the graduates. “You inspired us every day.”
Several graduates took to the podium to reflect on their experience. Deborah Nadborny of Argentina highlighted the power of unity in diversity. “We come from different countries, cultures, and stories, but inside this classroom, we became a team,” she said. “Today, we celebrate not only what we’ve learned but who we’ve become in the process.”
Jazmin Carolina Guillen Peyton of Mexico called the day a proud milestone. “It has been quite an adventure since all of this started. Thank you to the teachers, mentors, family, and friends who have supported us along the way.”
Vanesa Soledad Nusynkier, also from Argentina, expressed gratitude for the chance to grow both academically and personally. “We didn’t just learn grammar or vocabulary; we learned to believe in ourselves,” she said.
Brandie Pavon, an ELA instructor at WCC, addressed the graduates with encouragement and admiration. “Some of you will go on to take college courses, and others of you will step confidently into new careers. Don’t be afraid to dream even bigger,” she said. “Keep asking questions, keep improving, and most importantly, keep believing in yourself.”
One of the graduates, Johnny Dasny, a former doctor in Haiti, hopes the program will help him continue working in healthcare in the United States. “In this program, I learned so much. It’s a new step in my life with experiences that I didn’t have before,” Dasny shared. “It was wonderful. I’ll never forget a thing like this.”
The 2025 Quest Academy graduates are:
- Jenny Marisol Aguilar
- Yierdelie Alexis
- Yves Marshall Amilcar
- Guerda Clersaint
- Andrea Cottone
- Johnny Dasny
- Juana Esparza-Avila
- Fabian Fucci
- Jazmin Carolina Guillen Peyton
- Louise Nadia Illozier
- Elizabeth Maier
- Ruth Cristina Morales de Venegas
- Deborah Nadborny
- Vanesa Soledad Nusynkier
- Alejandra Perez
- Lucina Ruiz-Nandi
- Araceli Sanchez
- Josue Sanon
- Lourdes Santiago Santos
- Melissa Esperanza Smith Garcia
For more information about the English Language Acquisition program and Quest Academy, visit Wayne Community College’s website.
