Maria Acevedo is one of Community Education’s most recent high school equivalency graduates. A dedicated student of over two years who walked to class each day no matter the weather, she was known in the One Cumberland Street building for her smile and fierce determination. Even a pandemic and transition to fully remote learning couldn’t stop her from achieving her dream!

About Mark:

My name is Mark. I enjoy sports; I’m all Philly all the time. I also play sports and live a fitness lifestyle (like diet and exercise). I believe climate change is real, and this planet is in a lot of trouble. I love animals; cats are my favorite, but dogs are cool too. One day I will own a big cat like a bobcat, puma, etc. From 2016 to 2018, I lived in Colorado Springs. It was exactly what I needed at the time. I had a good time out there, but unfortunately, I became homesick and moved back to spend quality time with my sick mother.

Mark’s Background: What Brought Him to Look for an HSE Class

I had a rough childhood with behavioral issues, which doomed my schooling years. I dropped out in 11^th grade but was still taking 9^th and 10th-grade classes. As I look back to those years, it’s hard to believe that one can make so many poor choices and mistakes, and still have opportunities to make it right some years later. 

I became interested in getting my GED primarily to stay relevant in the workforce. Now I have discovered that it’s so much more than that. The way I feel about myself has changed. I have the confidence to stand and face the things that scare me; this is so much better than the fear that has had me running for years. 

Classes are suspended, but students in high school equivalency classes are still learning. Teachers have contacted all students and assigned them to courses in Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org) and continue to offer face-to-face learning as well through Zoom. Additionally, teachers use What’s App to stay in touch.

High School Equivalency (HSE) students may have been out of school for 2 months, 2 years or 20 years+ before returning to the classroom. Some are confident in their ability to earn their diploma; others start class feeling strong and then after a few weeks, feel discouraged.

Since the suspension of classes beginning the week of March 16th, HSE (high school equivalency) teachers and students alike have been embracing new technology in order to learn as a community online. 

About Damarise:

I am a mother, grandmother, wife, sister, worship leader, and student with four kids (two over the age of 18 and two under 12). I have been happily married for five years. Both my husband and I attend church very regularly (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday). My son is in basketball and trains quite often (every Saturday). Both my son and daughter play basketball, and we attend every Saturday. I mention all this because I am a busy wife, mom, grand-mom, sister, and friend.

About Jayden:

I’m a young man who has been through many challenges, but who has overcome them. I’m a hard-working overachiever with many life plans. I write poetry and motivational quotes, and make music from time to time. My plan in life is to one day open my own charter school to help people who could wind up like me. I want to give people the opportunities they truly deserve. Until I have the funding and support needed, I plan on going to get my certification in school.

Students often enter High School Equivalency (HSE) classes with a career goal in mind. Others are not sure. Student advisors and teachers spend time talking about career exploration and the many options available in Lancaster for post-secondary training, apprenticeships, and the resources offered by PA CareerLink, where daytime classes are held. Students have also expressed interest in joining the military and advisors are able to bring a recruiter to meet with those learners.

Sophealin Hul arrived in the United States from Cambodia and joined high school equivalency classes at CareerLink a few weeks later. In these past six months, she has passed three subject tests and plans to take her final test--math--by the end of February.