South Shore woman achieves a long-time goal through adult learning
Next week, Darlene Roy will take the stage to get a very important piece of paper. It will represent her determination, achievement and purpose.
At 59, Darlene will fulfill a long-time goal — graduating Queens Adult High School with a high school diploma. And she’ll be walking across the same stage, on the same day, as her granddaughter.
Darlene dropped out of school at 16. By the time she was 21, she was a mother of two.
“It’s always something I wanted to do,” Darlene says. “I tried so many different things to get my education. I was in a few different programs, but I struggled.”
That changed in 2015, when her granddaughter, Ataya Roy-Keans, enrolled in Queens Adult High School. One year later, Darlene decided to join Ataya on her journey.
“I wanted to go through the program with her, and I wanted to graduate with her.”
The experience was so enjoyable for Darlene she plans to volunteer at the adult high school.
“I’ve always wanted my Grade 12, and I had taken a lot of stabs at it, but I finally did it. I loved it and I didn’t want to leave!”
The journey has instilled a sense of confidence.
“It makes me feel so much better about myself. You don’t realize how much I appreciate this opportunity.
“We both made it!”
Darlene has some advice for people who are considering furthering their education.
“Do it. It is an awesome experience. If you can get in a place like Queens Adult High School, the teachers are amazing. It was like going to school with family.”
Darlene is one of about 450 adult learners who will receive their high school diplomas this month. Adult education programs give Nova Scotians the opportunity to improve their literacy skills and prepare for the workforce or more education.
Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning provides free learning programs to Nova Scotian adults 19 years and older who have been out of high school for more than one year. Programs are offered in English and French and include the Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma for Adults, General Educational Development (GED) prep courses, among many others.
For more information call 1–877-go-NSSAL (1–877–466–7725) or visit here.
