GED GIVES GRADUATES SECOND CHANCE IN LIFE

This morning, Dianna Eldridge learns if she got the first job she has applied for in many years.

Eldridge, a welfare recipient for more years than she cares to admit, celebrated her high school graduation Thursday night.

The Advance woman is among 125 people this year who earned their high school equivalency degree through the Adult Basic Education program at the Cape Girardeau Area Vocational-Technical School. About 30 of the graduates attended the commencement ceremony Thursday.

The ABE program is among literacy efforts receiving funding from YELL. The annual fund-raiser for Youth, Education, Literacy and Learning will be held Sept. 9. Money raised helps fund programs that promote literacy in the area.

GED courses coordinated out of the Cape Girardeau Vo-Tech School are held in six counties: Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, Perry, Scott, Stoddard and Ste. Genevieve. Volunteer teachers lead students through their studies and were on hand to congratulate graduates Thursday.

Eldridge said she left high school when she decided she was smarter than her teachers. It took her a few years to change her mind.

"I figured I'd get a job and have it made," she said.

Instead, she got married, had children, got divorced and ended up on welfare. Counselors with welfare's Futures program encouraged her to enroll in the GED course.

"I didn't think I was going to like it," she said. But after attending a few classes she decided it wasn't so bad after all.

Her motivation to stick with the program was strong. She has twin teen-age boys. "Last year, I couldn't help them with their homework," Eldrigde said. "And I want those boys to stay in school."

Eldridge's boys and her mother were in the packed room Thursday to see her receive the GED certificate.

Today Eldridge learns if she got the job with a local manufacturing firm. She said the GED program helped her build the confidence to look for a job.

"I'm a little smarter too," she said. "If I don't get this job I'm going to get another job, definitely."

Laura Pridemore of Cape Girardeau agreed that studying for the GED exam boosted her confidence.

Pridemore left high school because she didn't think education was important. "Twenty years later, I've changed my mind," she said.

Next week Pridemore starts classes at Southeast Missouri State University. She is training to be a physical therapy assistant.

"Back then I got married, had kids and raised my kids," Pridemore said.

Her children are 12 and 15 years old. Pridemore decided it was time to be a role model for the children concerning their education. "I don't want them to drop out," she said.

Pridemore attended classes five days a week for almost a year studying for the GED test.

"This test was not easy," she said. "Once you get close to the end, it's very intense. Am I going to make it? I did."

Her success in the ABE program has given her confidence to tackle college.

"If I can do this, I think I can do just about anything," she said.