One
Rule to Live By
by Thomas Larey
My name is Thomas Larey. I am a recent GED graduate from the Bowie-Cass
Adult Education Cooperative. I am a fifty-four year old man from Texarkana.
At the spring orientation session of the Bowie-Cass Adult Education
Cooperative (Texarkana), I had the opportunity to speak to the students. I
told the students some of my past, which included being a drug addict
and serving time in prison. In telling my story, I encouraged
the students not to let their past predict their future.
In addition, I spoke on how important it was to have a high school diploma
or GED. I explained that in today’s world of work,this
credential is not optional, but required. When making
life decisions, I told the students that I know how it feels to have
a choice of bad or worse. I posed the question, “What do
you do?”
Also, I told the students to find inner peace and not let the influence
of drugs overtake them. I informed them that once you get your
GED, no one can take it from you. I shared about how proud I was
when I walked across the stage at the graduation ceremony to accept
my awards. I received a certificate from Mrs. Buckley, my teacher, a
certificate from Stephen Frost, our State Representative, and recognition
of my membership in the National Adult Education Honor Society.
Furthermore, I emphasized the importance of continuing their education.
I shared with the students that I had been approved to receive financial
aid to attend college. I plan on receiving a degree and becoming
a Substance Abuse Counselor. I start classes at Texarkana College this
summer. At first, my past had prevented me from getting financial
aid. After being rejected for financial aid, I was put in contact
with the right people and was granted my aid.
I concluded by reading one of several essays that I had written while
in class. The essay was titled “One Rule to Live By.” The
basic point of my essay was to live drug free. It also talked about
how destructive drugs and alcohol can be. My rule to live by is
to avoid drugs at all cost.
I believe you can make good things happen if you focus on a positive
outcome. I hope the students were encouraged by the message that I shared
with them.
I also hope that some of them may benefit from my experiences and not
have to learn everything from their own mistakes.
About the Author
Thomas is a GED graduate from Debra Buckley’s Adult Education
class at Bowie-Cass Adult Education Cooperative in Texarkana.
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