Alumni Check-In: Patrick’s GED A Passport to Germany
This article was written by Intern Erika Scharf. She attends Oberlin College.
Patrick Stamper’s dream has always been to help others as a paramedic, but one thing stood in his way: a high school diploma.
Patrick, 24, is a Seeds 2023 alum. He has always wanted to work with Emergency Medical Services, but with no GED®, his applications went unanswered. Then, something happened that made him decide to reignite his education journey: he found out he was having a baby.
“I was preparing to become a dad, so I knew I had to buckle down and really focus on family things instead of just myself,” he said. “I also was struggling to understand math after not doing it for so long.”
THE CHALLENGES
When Patrick was a senior in high school, his grandmother fell sick, and he dropped out to focus on caring for her. Later, when he was ready to get his GED, another barrier came up: his father got sick, too.
“My father ended up having black spots on his lungs causing me to focus on working to ensure everything would be fine if we were given bad news. Thankfully they cleared after two years. That’s when I was finally able to focus and earn my GED.”
Patrick tried some other GED programs before Seeds, working in a classroom with one teacher and several other students. But that wasn’t what he needed to succeed.
“I felt having tutors to guide me would be the best route for me. Seeds having tutors who were one to one was the biggest thing that worked for me,” he said. “I ended up choosing Seeds of Literacy because of the hospitality I was given, and the flexible, online help.”
Like many students at Seeds (and many people in general!) Patrick found math to be his biggest roadblock. With the help of a tutor, though, the challenge slowly started to become easier.
“For some reason I always have a hard time doing math on paper, but can do it in my head so much easier. Trying to find a way to get that to work to the best of my abilities was a struggle I don’t think I could’ve gotten over alone.”
PATRICK’S TIME AT SEEDS
Patrick arrived at Seeds incredibly determined to tackle the GED. Though his time at Seeds was short-lived (*He started January 25, 2023 and graduated less than a month later on February 17*) his focus, dedication to his new family, and his kindness was infectious.
“He’s such a kind and friendly person,” says Kara Krawiec, Director of Student Success at Seeds of Literacy. “He had a baby girl on the way, so he wanted to make sure he completed his GED before she arrived. It was such a pleasure to get to work with him, however briefly.”
PHOTO CAPTIONS: Left: The day Patrick signed his 12B contract to become a Combat Engineer. Middle: Patrick (far right0 and his friends stationed in the 101st division. Right: Patrick (center) and his platoon members in Neuschwanstein, Germany by the castle that inspired “Cinderella”
A CHANGE IN SCENERY
Now, Patrick is serving in the Army as a Combat Engineer. His role in the service has taken him all over the world, from being placed in one of the hardest companies—the Fort Leonard Wood Army Installation in the Missouri Ozarks—to being stationed in Germany for five months, an experience he loved.
“I wish I lived in Germany. It was absolutely beautiful even on the cold, rainy days they had us out there. The people are very nice and welcoming,” he said. “Plus, all the major cities are easy to walk around and have plenty of things to see and buy. If I continue in the Army, Germany will be the next place I ask to be stationed.”
LIFE AFTER SEEDS
Now, Patrick is stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Once his Army contract is over, though, he plans to return to his hometown of Cleveland and join EMS—something that would not have been possible without the help of Seeds.
“My life changed drastically after Seeds of Literacy. I think the second I received my GED I went and applied to every college I could for my EMT-B. I also applied that same day to the Cleveland EMS and a few other places. It certainly helped my process in joining the Army, too. With my GED I was able to have the job where I eventually ended up crossing paths with my recruiter.”
Patrick is very proud of his work at Seeds and in the Army, finishing OSUT (One Station Unit Training) to become a Combat Engineer. His proudest moment, though, is having his daughter.
“I think dads who are trying to better themselves for their families can relate with my story. No matter how hard things are, you can always pull yourself up and be in a better place,” he said, noting that you don’t have to do it alone. “There are people out there who are willing to take your hand and help pull you up. Seeds is a perfect example of that!”
Wherever Patrick ends up next, he has one mission. “I honestly think my overall life journey is just having a job in the world that’s meant to help people.” Now that he has his GED, all the doors have opened for him and there’s no holding him back.
*Patrick’s short tenure at Seeds was not typical. Although some students are in the program for just a few weeks, the majority are with us a year or more.
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