This September, our Rutland County Learning Center celebrated its graduates, and Erin, who recently earned her GED after overcoming tremendous personal challenges, took to the stage to share her journey. Her words, shared here, reflect the power of perseverance, education, and hope:
“Good evening, it is an honor to be here with you all! My name is Erin, and I will be sharing a bit about my journey tonight.
Adult education has empowered me to pursue my goals with confidence, creating a foundation for a meaningful legacy. First, I will share why earning my GED was such a big deal for me. Second, I will talk about the opportunities that are now available because of my achievement. And lastly, how I hope my example will impact others. Let’s get started.
Why was earning my GED so meaningful to me? I have overcome many obstacles to stand where I am tonight. After I found full freedom from addiction and then fled from a dysfunctional family system, I began to do the things that come along with starting a whole new life. One of my goals was to pursue my GED. It was a dream that I thought had died years earlier.
I reconnected with Vermont Adult Learning, some of my old teachers with whom I had formed relationships with in years past, and some new faces, too, welcomed me back, as always. I took the four GED practice tests and passed easily. It was clear that the barriers and resistance had less to do with authentic ability and more to do with false belief systems about who I was and what I could or should achieve in life. Yet, even today, I still struggle with feelings of inadequacy and fear!
Now that I have received my certificate of achievement, I find joy in the fact that no one can take it away from me, and that I never have to do it again! It was a brutal fight. I took the first three tests, and then on the final test, I was overwhelmed by emotion and fear. I skipped it because I couldn’t bring myself to go into the building. I sat in my car, outside of VAL, and sobbed with uncontrollable tears. I felt like this would never be for me. I went home and skipped my responsibilities for the day. Once I recovered emotionally and enlisted support from my loved ones, I took the test, and I passed.
During my graduation ceremony, I experienced so much redemption in my story. Eighteen years late, but somehow right on time, I proudly wore my blue cap and gown. My tassel now hangs on the corner of a frame in my home. My certificate of achievement is displayed on my wall at my desk. I am a proud Vermont Adult Learner. A part of my identity that was frozen in time, that part of me called student, was called into the present and reintegrated into my sense of self. An important rite of passage for men and women of any age to experience is offered through this institution. It seems impossible to put into words the experience of that healing. It was something I had never experienced before, and it brought with it senses and nuances of emotion I had never known. Throughout my life, I have had many negative and dark encounters. It is absolutely refreshing and life-giving to live in the reality of a fulfilled dream. This motivates and empowers me to press on toward the next goal, the next dream, knowing that each time I advance in my life, I am setting the foundation for a hope-filled and strong legacy. Though I journeyed through and tried and failed many times, I wouldn’t trade the knowledge, insight, and wisdom I gleaned each time I entered those doors. One thing I appreciate most about VAL is that the doors are always open, an unlimited supply of chances! This is a very brief explanation of why earning my GED is so meaningful for me. I’m sure time wouldn’t allow for a deep dive. Moving on, I will talk about some of the opportunities that are now available to me.
Adult education has created space for me to pursue further education in many realms of life. With my newfound freedom (meaning my GED in hand), I signed up for classes at CCV. I imagined that I would one day have a cleaning business, and I was ready to attain a business degree. I think part of the reason I had that goal was because, throughout my 14-year marriage, I did not work. As a teenager, I did housecleaning. My first job once I started my new life was housecleaning. After attending for a year, I decided to take a semester off to explore new job opportunities. I enjoyed my time at college and became a deeper learner. One thing that I love about freedom is that I can do what I want. I am currently in the space of exploring my interests, learning who I am created to be, and discovering my personal calling. Most job opportunities require a minimum of a GED or a High School Diploma. My next step is to seek employment in an elderly living community. I hope to put my passion for serving others through cleaning and attention to detail to good use. And, lastly, I will share how I hope my example will impact others.
There is more than enough negativity and pain in our world. As we can see through the current world events and the uncertainty that surrounds us on a global, national, and oftentimes personal level. I believe that change must start with the individual. I hope that people can look at my life as an example that even though many things may be stacked against you, and many barriers may threaten to hold you back from a better life, ultimately, nothing can stop the individual who refuses to quit. There are a few weapons you will need to arm yourself with: forgiveness, hope, vision, and tenacity are just a few. The most important weapon is a good support network. A team of people who won’t let you betray your potential, and that always cheer you on, and correct you when needed.
We live in a wonderful nation and in the most gorgeous state, where opportunity is freely given to us; we need to grab hold of the resources and begin to build something that will outlast us. I am so proud and so honored to be here tonight, knowing my children and I are going to walk into a fundamentally changed future. My future is beautiful, full of purpose, passion, life, love, and compassion. My future is crowned with tender mercies and restoration. My past does not define my future. Thank you so much for your time. Thank you to all the dedicated staff at Vermont Adult Learning, and Congratulations to all the amazing Vermont Adult Learners who are being celebrated and honored tonight for their achievement!“
***
You can help learners like Erin achieve their dreams with a gift to VAL