Adult Learning Center’s Class of ’26 represented 21 countries!

The Dr. Shirley Forrest Callan Methuen Adult Learning Center (MALC) celebrated its students’ achievements during its 36th annual Closing Ceremony at the Methuen High School auditorium on June 3. The program provides Adult Basic Education classes, including English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and preparation for the HiSET or GED, the standardized tests that Massachusetts uses to grant the high school equivalency credential.

This year’s student body represented 21 different countries. More than half of the students served were parents, grandparents, caregivers, cousins or siblings of children in the Methuen Public Schools, demonstrating to their families an important commitment to lifelong learning.

Highlights of the evening included a fantastic video featuring 8 students in the program, inspiring student and alumni speakers, and recognition of student publishers and students attaining U.S. citizenship. Notably this school year, Methuen’s adult education students learned about history and civic engagement through a recent visit to the Massachusetts State House, where they toured the building and met with Sen. Pavel Payano and Reps. Ryan Hamilton and Francisco Paulino.

The Closing Ceremony audience was greeted with a warm address from Methuen Acting Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lisa Golobski Twomey. Honored guests included recently retired MALC Director Susan Despres along with City Council member Ryan DiZoglio and School Committee members Alejandro Baez, Mary Beth Donovan Grassi, Laurie Keegan and Martha Sirois. Also in attendance were Nevins Memorial Library Director Sarah Sullivan and Martine Francois from Northern Essex Community College. Methuen’s Environmental Planner/Energy Manager Joe Cosgrove and the city’s Energy Advocate Luis Navarro also attended.
To schedule an appointment to register for MAIC’s 2026-2027 school year, call the school at (978) 722-6067. Classes are offered on both morning and evening schedules, in-person, online and hybrid. Programming is free of charge and is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Methuen Public Schools and the City of Methuen. The school is located at 10 Ditson Place. For more information, visit the MALC website at https://malc.methuen.k12.ma.us/.

Academic Advisor Domy De La Rosa (left) presents U.S. citizenship recognition certificates to students Julia Mejia Checo and Joan Manuel Santos.

MALC staff includes (from left) Carolyn McHugh, Jade Heffernan, Miriam Turcios Najera, Latifa Irahoui, Domy De La Rosa, Susan Despres (recently retired), Irene Ho, Silvia Cametti, Cathy O’Keefe, and Tim Jaroche.