Success Stories

My Mount Everest

I am a 51-year old GED student. The GED, which I have been studying for, means a great deal to me. I tell everyone who will listen, to stay in school because it’s very important for their future. In the past few months since enrolling in school, there have been many times I cried because I felt like such a failure and inside I was so embarrassed and ashamed. At the same time, I would laugh and tell everyone that the last time I went to school there were dinosaurs! On the first day of class my teacher wrote a quote on the board that made a significant impact on my life: “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it,” by Michael Jordan. I had never looked at life in this manner, and it made me realize I needed to work through many obstacles.

When I was first tested, my math skills were equivalent to that of a 5th grader. Academically, math was my biggest obstacle, but I also came to realize that another big obstacle - I didn’t believe in myself. I have since improved in math, but the most significant improvement has been in learning to believe in myself. Thanks to a dedicated and special teacher and friend, Mrs. Reda Berry has helped me overcome many obstacles. She never gets frustrated being asked the same question over and over again. She always encourages every student and helps each one in anyway she can. A lot of times I feel bad when I see younger students take advantage of her teaching. Some students are okay but some seem to act like they are doing the teacher a favor by being there. They’ll learn sooner or later that school is here for their benefit. Many times I see myself in these students and that’s why I can understand where they’re coming from. I know what the outcome is going to be if they don’t get their education. That’s why I encourage them.

At the beginning of every class, Mrs. Berry would have us read a few pages from a book called Daily Reflections for Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey. That book was such a source of encouragement and strength to me because of its positive words of encouragement. One of the things the book taught me was to use proactive instead of reactive language. For example, when I started class, I remember saying, “I would like to pass the Reading test;” and then I changed to saying, “I am going to pass the Reading test.”

One word that was used in the book that comes to mind is “paradigm” which is a game plan for life. My paradigm shift was realizing you’re never too old to try to succeed and if you don’t make that move, you’ll always have an excuse. My excuses were always “I’m too old;” “I’m from a broken family where nobody cared;” “I was abused;” or I would blame the teacher who I thought didn’t care. I didn’t have what I needed, nor did I have any money. It was whine, whine, whine, until I finally said, “No more!” Abraham Lincoln once said, “People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.” So, I chose to be happy.

I sometimes find learning very hard and I don’t readily grasp subjects like math. However, after Mrs. Berry would explain things, I was able to understand. Since coming back to school, I now want to continue to further my education. I feel so good knowing I’m doing something wonderful for my family and me. The old person is gone, and I now know the sky’s the limit! There’s a myth about being old and unable to learn, and it is just that - a myth.

I feel so proud of myself and what I have accomplished with my tests. Tears of overwhelming joy rolled down my cheeks when I scored a 750 on my first test - Reading! I never thought I could accomplish anything like getting my GED.

I thank God first, but in all, I thank my excellent teacher who is truly an angel in disguise, and Mrs. Christia Moore, the Program Director, who spoke to me and encouraged me. I thank her for her words of encouragement. Also, Henrietta Salazar from the New Braunfels WorkSource Career Center has been helpful, and I thank her. Last, but not least, my kids, David, Angel Diane, Adolfo Jr. (A.J.), and my husband, Prisco, who are my strength. Finally, I so appreciate the Central Texas Technology Center that allows us to use its state-of-the-art facility.

Edmund Hillary was the first person to climb Mount Everest who lived to tell about it. He said, “It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” My Mount Everest was getting my GED, and along the way, I conquered something even bigger - I learned to believe in myself!

Elida Velez was born and raised in New Braunfels, TX. She is married and has three children and 13 grandchildren. Elida’s next goal is to enroll in college. She is interested in becoming a pharmacy technician. Elida is a GED graduate from the Comal, Guadalupe, & Kendall Counties Adult Education Co-op in Seguin.