Graduate of 2013
Who would have said it has been 10 years since this formidable program began where it gave us the opportunity to climb one more step to improve our education and make us feel empowered. In my case, that is how I feel.
The High School Equivalency Program (HEP) transformed me in many ways; it made me feel able to achieve my goals. Working in the fields, although it was a short time, made me reconnect and be in contact with nature, learn and share moments with other people. In addition, being in the program and taking classes for the certificate greatly revived my mind, refreshing it with a lot of learning. Especially mathematics, although I liked numbers and logic, was not an easy subject for me. What great satisfaction when after four months I managed to pass the exams for the long-awaited certificate of equivalency to high school. This program changed my life; I went back to school, finished the English as a Second Language program, and the Child Development Program.
I applaud and appreciate that we have programs that give us educational growth and make us feel capable. I am currently in the same job. I was nominated in 2019 to represent the hotel where I work as an example of perseverance, responsibility, leadership, and achievements in the workplace. Thus, I have continued to educate myself in computing and learning new tools in technology that have opened new training paths for me to be better. I live in Sonoma, California and I am proud to have been in HEP! A big “Thank You” to the entire staff for the work they do and for staying in the minds of all of us who had the pleasure of participating in HEP.