LEBANON — The applause was no louder for Gretchen Wilson than for anyone else.

As 90 adults in caps and gowns filed into the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, the people who packed the pews quickly came to their feet, yelling and cheering a GED graduating class that covered ages 18 to 75.

While "Pomp and Circumstance" played, the country star behind the "Redneck Woman" craze slipped into the line behind Victoria Wharton. Wilson, 34, took her place in a pew and delivered no speech — she did that last year — though camera crews were nearby.

"She doesn't want to diminish the accomplishments of the others," said Bernadine Nelson, director of the Adult Learning Center of Wilson County, where they all earned their General Educational Development diplomas.

There were differences in the center's graduation ceremony this year. The commencement speaker was music legend Charlie Daniels. He led the group in "My Country 'Tis of Thee" and shook the graduates' hands as they walked across the stage to get their diplomas.

Eventually, the "W" names were called, and he handed a certificate to his friend, Gretchen Frances Wilson. Wilson, who dropped out of school in the ninth grade, passed the GED exam in April. She studied and tested while touring and recording her fourth album.

Daniels is proud of friend

"I'm proud of her because she went through the turmoil of getting the diploma at this busy time of her life," Daniels said before the ceremony. "It's a sign of character to do something because you want to, not because you have to."

Near the beginning of his speech, Daniels, unable to resist, said, "Gretchen Wilson, I am so proud of you." Then, over the sound of crying babies, he talked about not giving up, no matter what.

"You should never, never, never give up on a dream," he said. "Don't ever let anyone tell you you're not good enough, that you're too old."

At 18, Anthony Heady isn't sure where he will go from here. Heady, who dropped out of school his junior year, just signed up for four years in the Army, so he has some time to decide. "Eight months before I turned 18, I decided I wanted to turn my life around," he said. "I finally get to walk."

At 75, Raymond C. Davis Sr. got his GED, he said with a smile, because "my children kept after me." Davis left school at 15 to be a coal miner, one of the few options available for young men in his West Virginia hometown back then.

The Church of God pastor has looked for something to keep busy, but every job asks "high school diploma or GED?" "I can't do a whole lot physically, but I don't want to sit. So this will open some doors. If I sit down at 75, what am I waiting on?"