Graduate speakers Francis Palmer, right, and Jasmine Cable share a laugh during the Adult Learning Center and Diploma Completion Program graduation ceremony, held Thursday at Southwest Middle School.

As Rick Henry puts it, “life” happens to some people. For all sorts of reasons, he says, some don’t receive their high school diplomas when everyone else does.

But on Thursday, the Lawrence school district celebrated 81 adults for their choice to go back to school and earn that degree. A graduation ceremony at Southwest Middle School honored those who earned their diplomas or their equivalents through the district’s Adult Education Services program.

Henry, in his first year as the program’s director, said this year’s class impressed him with its sense of community. He said every student who completed their diploma, or passed the General Education Development test, would be celebrated with applause and hugs.

“I’d say there’s a real sense of community here,” Henry said.

Francis Palmer, 42, was one of those celebrating Thursday. Originally from Sierra Leone, Palmer came to the United States about 10 years ago and earned his GED last winter.

Now he plans to enroll at Johnson County Community College for a degree in business administration. He hopes to work for an “NGO that will reach out to other people,” he said.

Palmer said one of his primary reasons for earning the degree was to set an example for his 7-year-old son.

“I want him to understand that education is very important and it’s a key factor to living a better life,” he said.

Another graduate, Jasmine Cable, 22, said the diploma she spent the past two years working for isn’t the end of her education. She said she will next pursue certification as a nursing and medical assistant.

“They’re all just stepping stones right now,” Cable said.