Student Spotlight: Just 3 Points from Passing
[This article was written by Intern Erika Scharf. She attends Oberlin College.]
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Danyale Vaughn and Lenora Wilson are both Student Ambassadors at Seeds of Literacy—Danyale at the East location and Lenora at the West. Though they don’t know each other, their stories are very similar. Both women are mothers from Cleveland, both love the community aspect of Seeds of Literacy, and both women had taken the GED unsuccessfully before coming to Seeds. Interestingly, they both only missed the math portion by 3 points.
“I passed all the other parts and then I got discouraged and I never went back,” Danyale explains.
Because of changes in the tests in the past 15 years, Danyale now has to retake all four portions of the official exam. But she is determined to get her diploma.
“My main goal is to get my GED,” she says. Like many other students, the math is the hardest part for her. But Danyale refuses to give up, no matter how hard it is. She is determined to try. “When others hear my story, I would just want them to know that I am trying.”
Lenora originally began studying at Seeds of Literacy in 2010. Finishing school was something she felt like she needed to do, but more importantly, it was something she was finally doing for herself. At first, everything was going well, but because of challenges that came up outside of school, she wasn’t able to finish as early as she had hoped. Thankfully, because of the flexibility of Seeds, she was able to pick back up where she left off the first time. She hopes to graduate within the next year.
Like Danyale, she wants to conquer the math portion first.
“I want to get it out of the way. I only missed the test by three points the first time, so hopefully I pass it.”
[Pictured far left: Danyale with Seeds East Ambassadors]
FINDING COMMUNITY AT SEEDS
Both Danyale and Lenora are Student Ambassadors, meaning they represent Seeds of Literacy at various community events to promote engagement and support for the program. The ambassadors meet monthly at their respective locations to discuss upcoming events, brainstorm new ideas, and to share time together.
Of the community aspect at Seeds, Lenora says, “You get to meet different types of people, some amazing people. Seeing different people that come in, you become friends with them and you’re close to the people you come up here and study with.”
Danyale shares a similar sentiment. She says she really enjoys her role as a Student Ambassador, but she really enjoys the meetings when they are all together. “It’s pretty cool. I like coming to the meetings,” she says smiling.
Many of the other Student Ambassadors share similar thoughts about their group. One can only imagine that the joy the students have about being Student Ambassadors is a testament to the camaraderie fostered between the students and the encouraging, supportive community of Seeds.
[Pictured third from left: Lenora with Seeds West Ambassadors]
THEIR JOURNEYS
Though Danyale and Lenora have many commonalities, their respective journeys to Seeds of Literacy are a bit different.
Lenora, 53, had two kids while she was in high school. There was no one to take care of them, so she had to drop out. She says that it’s hard to finish school when you don’t have a support system.
“Girls that are having kids at a young age, if they do finish school, they need support to finish. Some don’t. So they can come here.”
Danyale had a bit of a different story. She has been at Seeds of Literacy for about a year, and she initially left school in the 9th grade.
“I didn’t have clothes and I couldn’t keep up with the fashion and all that stuff, so I was embarrassed about what I was wearing. And then I dropped out to start smoking marijuana and hanging out with friends.”
Now that she has found Seeds, she is improving her education immensely. Though she says she has yet to tackle science or social studies again, she has made progress in reading and math.
“Since I have started here, I can read so much better. And I’m on pre-algebra now, so it’s kind of difficult. So I’m learning this, but it ain’t too hard. I’m trying to deal with it.”
Both women share a deep love for their children. Though Danyale didn’t finish school the first time around, she made sure her daughter did. Her daughter, now 26, graduated college and earned a Psychology degree from Baldwin Wallace University. “I’m real proud of her,” Danielle beams.
Lenora echoes Danyale’s statement. She says part of the reason she came to Seeds of Literacy to finish her degree was for her kids.
“I wanted to show my kids that it is always best to finish what you started, especially with school.”
KEEP THE EYE ON THE PRIZE
Another trait the women share is their absolute determination to finish their GED. Though Lenora says she enjoys studying with her friends and tutors, she still has her ultimate goal of earning her diploma. Her face lights up when she talks about her dreams of graduating. She already has a vision for how she will decorate her graduation cap.
“My proudest moment will come once I get that GED.”
Danyale’s statement is almost verbatim to Lenora’s. “My proudest moment will be when I’m walking across that stage.”
We’ll be there cheering you on when that moment comes, ladies!
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It’s never too late to finish your education!
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