The Crawfordsville Adult Resource Academy recently awarded 29 students with High School Equivalency diplomas in front of a standing-room-only auditorium of supporters. Those supporters yelled out well wishes and whistles while the graduates crossed the stage in their caps and gowns, heads held high. It was a moving tribute to a job well done.
Some students waited decades to achieve this goal. Other students only recently left the traditional classroom setting. It did not matter when they stood at the starting line. This day was the perfect day to celebrate crossing the finish line.
With those diplomas came 29 different stories of triumphs over tragedies, second chances, and new opportunities. Those stories stirred the hearts of everyone in attendance.
Zulema Rosas told the crowd how, four years ago, she had come to the United States from Mexico. She did not speak much if any, English. Rosas explained how difficult it was to communicate with doctors and employers. She said enrolling in the CARA programs gave her the skill set to succeed. Succeed, she did. She is now proficient in the English language and has earned her diploma. When she concluded her speech in English, she also shared the Spanish version so family and friends in the audience would know the possibilities for them to accomplish similar achievements and share in her accomplishments.
Cherilyn “Cher” MacKinnon gave a poignant speech about her struggles to reach graduation day. She was a pregnant high school dropout who married an abusive man for all the wrong reasons. Every time she thought she could escape her situation, she found herself in more trouble. She lost all value of self-worth and battled deep depression. Depression caused her to turn to drugs and alcohol. These addictions led her to serve jail time and lose custody of her children.
One person, though, stood by MacKinnon through it all. Her mother wanted two things for her daughter: to get clean and to graduate high school. Her mother never gave up hope that she would turn her life around. Unfortunately, MacKinnon’s mother died last year, and did not get to see this day in person. MacKinnon consoled us not to feel sad about it because she knew her mother was watching from heaven and was proud of her.
“It may have taken 31 years to get here, but it is never too late to reach your goals. Take the first step,” she said.
MacKinnon is not stopping her education. She enrolled in a college program and plans to enter the ministry. Her mission is to encourage others by sharing her tumultuous past.
Charity Bryant knew about the CARA services because her mother and sisters had been through the program. Now a mother herself, she wanted her young son to be proud of her when he becomes of age to understand.
Kendall Schuler left the traditional classroom after the eighth grade to be home schooled. The CARA program was a great fit for her to get her diploma. In fact, she graduated on this day a year earlier than she would have.
Though the stories may be different, every graduate said the CARA programs had significantly impacted their lives. The CARA programs include the High School Equivalency classroom and testing, teaching English as a Second Language classes, certification training for career enhancement, and academic improvement workshops. For more information about their programs, call Kathy Tobias at 765-362-2690.
