Speaker: Kendesh J.
What motivated you to go back to high school at this time in your life? Why did you choose this program?
Kendesh J.: And what motivated me to go back to school was my children. I know having a high school diploma is important and I've gotten along well without it, but it's always been in the back of my head to go back and get it and now that I finally have it, I'm still waiting on it to come in the mail but I have it and I just felt like I was on top of the world. I had my oldest when I was 16 and that kind of knocked me back a little bit. I pretty much I did what I had to do to get by. Thankful I had both of my parents and so far so good, but I just felt like it was something better that, that was out there for me and that was it there and I appreciate you guys so much for helping me get it.
What parts of the program helped you make it to graduation?
Kendesh J.: It wasn't a particular part in general. For the, for the most part everything was easy. And like I said, I work two jobs so I made time while I was at work and after work to stay up at least two hours to try to knock out as many as I could. And I knocked it out and was able to complete it and I was shocked at myself because I was so tired and so drained.
How has your life and/or mindset changed since earning your high school diploma?
Kendesh J.: When Eric emailed me and told me he was... the email read he was... the email read congratulations, you completed a milestone. I was at work. And I was crying like I was... It is a joy though because like I wanted this for so long and now that I finally have it, I felt like I was untouchable. Could nothing knock me or stop me that day, could nothing kill my joy. None of the above. The pay raise hasn't happened yet, but I know what I can do now that I have it. So that's the biggest thing for me. I actually have it so I can do whatever I want to do now.
What are your plans now that you’ve graduated?
Kendesh J.: My plans now that I have my diploma, I'm going back to school for nursing. I want to become a registered nurse. That has been on my heart forever. Like I still... if I still had the paper from when I was in the second grade saying what do you want to be when you grow up? It was a nurse. So that's my next step. I'm currently in school to get my associates for nursing and once I'm done with that, the hospital that I'm working at, they have a school. So I'll be attending that school to finish everything else as far as getting my nursing license and just to go forward from there.
What's one piece of encouragement you'd offer someone who is considering this program?
Kendesh J.: One piece of encouragement that I will offer someone who is considering this program: go for it. I mean, I'm 32 and I made it happen and it wasn't just for my children. It was for me as well because I know what I want to do and I know I'm fully motivated, but it's like at times I kind of doubt it myself and I need to stop doing that. And for anybody else out there, don't doubt yourself. If you have something on your heart that you want to do that, you know, can take you further in life, do it. Don't let anyone around you stop you or tell you what you can't do or you're too old for that or you can't do that. I'm 32 and I'm back in school and I'm so proud of myself. If nobody else is proud of me, I'm proud of me.
