Hello to anyone who may run across this blog. I think I had a few faithful readers until I stopped blogging but I thought I'd post another one in case someone might run across it.
Mr. Matlock, Mrs. Danko, Honored Guests, Fellow Students Good Evening, What an incredible evening this is for me. I have dreamed of this very opportunity more times than I can even count. Until now, I’ve always felt that this would never happen, but because someone felt the need to make GED classes available both morning and evening, along with a self-less sacrifice to take the time to care, this event would not be a reality. Mrs. Hutchinson, your encouragement and belief in my ability to see this thing through is overwhelming. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Until recently, I have never been a “goal setter.” The reason being, I was too afraid of failing at one. The majority of my life I have always felt inferior to others because of my lack of education. This started very early on due to the fact that I walked away from High School my Junior year. Education was never stressed as very important in my home, nor was it in the homes of my parents. I am the youngest of eight siblings and not one of us completed High School. However, four of us have gone on to get our GED’s. I had been out of school for nearly 2 years when my husband encouraged me to take a Biblical study certification course through Liberty University. For some reason, I was under the impression that you had to have a GED in order to take this 1-2 year program. I later found out that it wasn’t necessary but I had already committed to attaining the GED. Rick told me that he supported me and that however long it took for me to attain it, he would stand by me and do what he could to help me. On September 19, 2008, one day before my sons birthday, I set a goal. It was my goal to achieve my GED by the end of the year, 2008. In exactly 3 months, a few days before my daughter's birthday, Dec. 19, 2008, I had taken the last of my tests. I left the classroom that day thinking that I would have to retake this one in particular and that I would not reach the first goal I had set. Through tears and just assuming, I called Mrs. Hutchinson to tell her I would have to retake it and that I would be bringing my workbook back to her and begin studying for retesting after the first of the year. Shortly afterward, she called to tell me that she had the results and that I had passed my GED. I was done, I had finished, it was over! I went straight to her classroom, threw my arms around her and thanked her repeatedly for helping someone like me. She makes me want to be one of those people who go beyond the call of duty, reach out to the community and be an encouragement to those who feel like I have for so many years, unqualified, unimportant, a failure. E. Joseph Cossman once said, “Obstacles are things a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goal.” I’m so glad that I didn’t let the obstacle of doubt overtake the view of the goal I set for myself. Not only did I attain my GED, I am more confident because I now have options. I no longer have to hold back tears through College commercials because I now qualify. If it were not for the GED program offered at Virginia High School, I would still be living in defeat. If you personally know someone who is too afraid to try, remind them of this quote that I just recently ran across that says, “The only real failure in life is the failure to try.” As I stand before you tonight, robed in cap and gown, you are looking at someone who has always dreamed of wearing this attire and attending her very own graduation ceremony. Here I am today, fulfilling a life-long dream at age 44. This opportunity is one that I cannot keep to myself and I shall never be too proud to speak out to encourage others to pursue their dreams of attaining a GED if and when given the opportunity. With this being a life-long dream of mine, I now have the confidence to pursue other things, since this dream is now a reality. I’m a proven fact that you are never too old. I still don’t know exactly what I want to be when I grow up, but I do want to be an example to my husband, children, grandchildren, and others as well, to never give up on their dreams. I hope my personal story will be one of encouragement to many. To those who are under the sound of my voice that are struggling with the lack of determination to pursue your GED, and as my final quote of the night, remember, “I CAN is 100 times more important than IQ.” I have been extremely blessed with good jobs since the age of 15. I’ve been able to quickly learn what was expected of me in any and every job that God has blessed me with. I’ve even been called an over-achiever more than once but the honor and self-respect that this diploma has afforded me is worth more than I can explain with words. I want to thank God, my husband, children and friends for their love, support and prayers during the time that it took me to accomplish this achievement. Thank you and I love you. Was it difficult? Sure it was. Were there moments I doubted? Certainly. Was it worth it? Absolutely!!! Thank you, and May God bless you. Thursday, May 28, 2009
