Success Story of an Even Start Student -- 2005-2006
by Linda T. Zepeda
Around the year 1988, a starry-eyed, 18-year-old Mexican girl, mentally
gazed across the treacherous waters of the Rio Grande River toward “greener
pastures,” and realized that any expectation for a different
lifestyle, or any achievement of any type of successes in her future,
would require a total change of direction and a great “leap
of faith” on her part; subsequently, Margarita decided to
change the course of her life forever.
Having been invited by one of her siblings, Margarita found her way
to Mount Pleasant, Texas, where she decided to permanently reside. Sometime
afterward, she not only became gainfully employed, but soon married.
Dreams were becoming a reality! Having been married for awhile and given
birth to two beautiful daughters, Margarita still lacked satisfaction
with the direction her life seemed to be meandering. She felt a great
void deep within her soul and realized what was lacking. All around her,
day in and day out, Margarita heard her own native tongue--Spanish!
She thought, “This is not the way it should be! I am in America
and should be trying to speak the language of the land--English!” Knowing
no English, it was with great difficulty that Margarita made attempts,
but without much success, to communicate with her doctors, grocery clerks,
and, in the near future, her children’s teachers. Thus, without
further ado, Margarita inquired about Adult Education classes. When she
was accepted into the Adult Education program around 1999, she began
her first steps toward achieving her goals: to speak, read, and write
in English, to pass the G.E.D. exam, and to become a citizen of the United
States. Margarita knew she was now on her way to accomplish those goals!
Margarita quickly resigned herself to the fact that learning English
would be “no piece of cake!” However, being very
determined, she daily made every attempt to add new words to her vocabulary.
As is the established practice in many Hispanic homes, Margarita’s
family spoke solely in the Spanish tongue; consequently, she found it
difficult to practice those newly-learned English words. In the not-too-distant
future, Margarita’s daughters would rapidly learn the English language
in public school, thus, giving her the extra challenge needed to force
her to speak words she had learned.
Once Margarita progressed sufficiently to attempt the G.E.D. exam,
she began a new struggle against a few “Goliaths,” math
being the worst. When she finally managed to conquer a few of these “giants,” needing
only to pass math, a newly-revised test was initiated and the old one
scrapped! Margarita had to once again start from the beginning, having
even to retest in her previously-passed subjects! Although she became
greatly discouraged, Margarita continued to persevere. When she heard
the news last December that she again had failed to pass the test by
only a few points, she all but gave up! Added to this discouragement
were health problems which were increasingly taking their toll. Although
physically unhealthy, Margarita, out of necessity, again sought employment
to pay for medical bills. She was offered, and accepted, employment in
a heavy-labor position. Having already registered a fourth time, to test
in three G.E.D. subjects in an attempt to boost her minimum average to
a passing level, Margarita was instructed to attend a mandatory orientation
for new employees, which was scheduled the same day as her exam. Fortunately
for Margarita, the wonderful staff in the Testing and Assessing Department
at NTCC understood
her plight and arranged to accommodate her with an exam the day after
orientation. By this time, however, much stress had begun building upon
Margarita’s already-discouraged mind!
Awaiting the results of her exam, Margarita began her new job. Within
two weeks she realized the job was too physically demanding on her health,
and reluctantly resigned. When it was learned that Margarita finally
passed the exam, the two Even Start home visitors couldn’t wait
to personally go tell her the wonderful news! Astonished, Margarita began
shedding tears of joy! The words sounded like “music to her
ears.” She tearfully uttered, “Thank you so much
for my education. Thank all the teachers for my education!” Her
news bearers assured her this fete could not have been accomplished without
absolute perseverance and dedication.
Margarita has been an outstanding example of what absolute perseverance
and dedication can accomplish. She has had to overcome great obstacles
in her personal life, school studies, and in the work force; yet, she
has continued to maintain a good, solid attitude. In the years 2004-2006,
she has served as her student body’s representative in the campus
Site-Base Committee Meetings, voicing students’ ideas and suggestions
to improve campus education--all in the English language! Not only will
she be receiving her diploma at the N.T.C.C. graduation ceremony on May
11, 2006, but she will also be inducted into the G.E.D. National Honor
Society. Her future goals are to become a citizen of the United States
and to enroll at Northeast Texas Community College’s Beautician
School.
If you will ask her, Margarita will tell you she is not very smart
and has always had great difficulty with learning. However, the Even
Start staff is very proud, privileged, and honored to know the outstanding
and exemplary student Margarita has proved herself to be and we applaud
her.
By: Linda T. Zepeda
Community Learning Center
Mount Pleasant I. S. D.
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