A Picture of Success

This past year we had a rather rough looking female student come to the Learning Center to enroll in our adult education program. She was unsmiling and appeared anxious and angry but said she wanted to start classes so she could her GED. Little did we know that in this same woman there was a contagious smile and warm spirit just waiting for an opportunity to surface and spread among students and staff. And this happened almost from the first day of class. To protect her identity, we will call this student Veronica.

Although she was a young person, the trail of Veronica’s past was littered with drug use, gang-related activity, violence, and prison. She showed us a picture of her “mug shot” and there was no doubt that this woman was no one to mess with. Yet, something happened inside herself after she was released from prison and she began to make choices that moved her out of that dark past and into a bright future. Completing her education was one such choice. So, while finishing her parole, she came to us with the clear goal of achieving her high school equivalency diploma, and she did just that.

Veronica had a winning attitude and a smile that was contagious. She related to students as a quiet, wise leader and to staff as an open book eager to learn and to succeed. Through Rio Salado’s Transition Program she was awarded a scholarship and began taking classes at Estrella Mountain Community College. In an English class, students were assigned to write a paper about themselves. After reading Veronica’s work, her instructor called the Learning Center coordinator to express her gratitude for what we were able to provide for Veronica during her time with us.

Veronica’s goal is to obtain a degree in criminal justice. Her intention is to work within others who, like herself, need a chance to change their life.

Next to her mug shot she now has a picture of herself in graduation cap and gown. A picture of success!