The smiles at this graduation ceremony celebrated the results of a year-long journey to better health.

The latest class of 24 participants in the Tidelands Health diabetes prevention program earned this celebration at the Plantersville Senior Citizens Center after completing the program, which helps participants reduce their risk of diabetes through regular exercise, healthy eating and other lifestyle changes.

For Trudie Goss, the changes were visible. She dropped two pants sizes.

She said coming across the program was like divine intervention.

“I was diagnosed with prediabetes and asked my doctor to refer me to a dietitian, and before I could even get to that appointment, I heard about the diabetes prevention program here,” she said.

Type 2 diabetes runs in her family. Having watched her mother deal with the condition, Goss wanted to break that cycle.

“I felt I needed to do something for myself, because I didn’t want to become a diabetic,” she said.

For participant Frank Drayton Jr., what he lost in weight, he gained in knowledge.

The 86-year-old lost the most pounds of all participants in his class. He applauded the program’s format and instructor, Sharon Flagler.

“This program – and the way Sharon teaches it – keeps my mind on what I should do instead of focusing on all the things I’m doing wrong. Now I feel free.” Drayton said. “I thank God for people like Sharon trying to help other people with their health.”

After getting their diplomas, the graduates surprised Flagler with a certificate of appreciation for her unwavering dedication to helping them reach their goals.

“It makes me feel so good that I was able to help them learn something – something that will help them with their health, something that they can take along with them,” Flagler said.

The Tidelands Health diabetes prevention program is offered at locations throughout the region to teach healthy habits and offer support as participants improve their health and delay or prevent the onset of diabetes. The program is especially important in a region with high rates of obesity and diabetes, Flagler said.

The program provides education about healthy eating habits at home and in restaurants, encourages physical activity, teaches techniques for coping with stress and challenges and offers strategies for getting back on track if participants stray from those healthy habits.

Energized by the program’s education and support, participants put in the work throughout the year to establish healthy habits that will carry on long after they celebrate their accomplishments on graduation day.

Flagler, who has led four classes through the prevention program, is proud of the participants and still marvels at their dedication to making these life-changing transformations.

“It just makes me feel like I’ve made a difference in someone’s life,” Flagler said.