Debbie G

Nearly 20 years after dropping out of high school, Debbie G. enrolled in the HSE Academy in Anaheim, California to make herself, her father, and her son proud.

“None of my dad’s kids got their high school diploma,” Debbie said. “I wanted to be the first.”

At age 16, Debbie became a mom and faced hardships that prevented her from continuing her education. Without a support system, she made the difficult choice to drop out of school and work full-time to raise her son. After Debbie’s father passed away in 2014, she vowed to return to school and receive her high school diploma. But going back wasn’t easy after 19 years, she said. Debbie had to learn to be a student again and balance her full-time job.

“My teachers motivated me and pushed me. When I failed my reading test, my teacher told me that it was OK and that I would pass it next time,” she said. “You have to want it and put in the work.”

With the High School Equivalency program’s flexibility to switch between morning and evening classes, Debbie said she was able to adjust her schedule between work and school.

“If I had to go to work for a different shift, the HSE Academy would work with me and have me take a different class time for that day,” she said.

Debbie said she is thankful for the support she had from her teachers, her son, and her coworkers.

“I had to do much of my studying at work,” she said. “My employees would help me stay focused and tutor me when they were off the clock. They’re like my family.”

When Debbie found out she passed her HSE exam, the first thing she did was visit her father’s grave.

“I put my hand on dad’s headstone and told him, ‘I did it,’” she said.

Inspired by her father, who had ALS, Debbie plans to enroll in the respiratory therapy program at ACC-Orange County as her next step.

“I’m not ashamed to say I’m 35 years old and going back to school,” Debbie said. “It’s never too late. Don’t give up.”