My Success Story
There was a point in my life when I felt that it was too late for me
to go back to school to get my GED® credential. Even if I do get
my GED® credential; it's not like I can attend college. I am 35
years of age, a mother of four; there is no way I can go to college.
I had every excuse you can think of. No father, I blamed my mom,
if only she had been there for me, I would have graduated from
high school. I had a child at a young age. The last thing on my
mind was going back to school. As long as I have a job, my child
and I will be alright.
As the years went by and I continued to make $5.15 an hour, my
daughter and I were not alright. I went to apply for government
assistance. Now, not only was I a single young parent without an
education, but I found myself receiving government assistance.
I found myself telling my kids, "Don't be like me. Finish school,
and go to college before you decide to get married and have children." Jobs which paid less than six dollars an hour were the best
jobs I could get without an education. It had been almost twenty
years since I had attended school, I wanted to go and register for
the adult education classes, but I was ashamed. But I got over it
and enrolled at College of the Mainland.
Thanks to my instructor Dr. McDaniel. She made me feel more
than just another statistic. Dr. McDaniel had informed me about
a scholarship available to GED® preparation moms from the Pat
Peebler Memorial Adult Education Scholarships, and one of the
qualifications I would have to write a paper about myself. When
I was asked if I would like to write about my life I was a bit intimidated.
However, I had chosen to write the paper. When I had
found out that I was awarded a scholarship from the Pat Peebler
Memorial Adult Education Scholarship, I was so overjoyed.
I knew then nothing was going to stop me. Within the same month I received my GED® credential, I enrolled for my first semester at the College of the Mainland. I am now getting ready to begin my second semester. Before you know it, I will be a college graduate. My plans are to major in Business and Accounting. One thing that I have learned in my psychology class is that we have to choose whether we are going to be victims or a creator. Being a victim will get you nowhere. I choose not to be a victim anymore. I am a creator. I will be successful.
