A December graduate perseveres to achieve her HSED
As Kesha Morris walks across the stage at NWTC’s fall commencement ceremony to receive her High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED), she’ll complete one of her biggest goals in life. Soon, she’ll begin a new journey to achieve another goal.
Morris finds her inspiration
While in high school, Morris became a teenage mother. She put caring for her child first, but she also didn’t have a support system or anyone to explain to her the importance of having a high school diploma.
“Even while I was in middle school I struggled with learning and was afraid to ask questions. I went to school and did homework like everyone else – I just didn't understand what I was learning,” Morris said.
As time went on, she had three more children and worked at McDonald’s, but she wanted something more for herself and for her kids.
Morris dreamed of becoming a nurse, so, in 2003, she earned her nursing assistant certificate. She wanted to continue her education in nursing, but she ran into a roadblock – an HSED or GED® certificate was required.
“I knew I had to get my HSED or GED certificate, but I didn't want to be judged. I was afraid to ask questions – just like I was in middle school and part of high school,” Morris said.
So, she held off on earning her high school diploma and focused on ensuring her kids understood the importance of completing high school.
Eventually, Morris took classes on and off at NWTC for her HSED. In one of these classes, she met a woman in her 60s and they began chatting.
“We were having a small conversation, and she told me her dream was to get her GED certificate before her time is up,” Morris said.
That woman did complete her GED certificate and, without knowing it, inspired Morris to persevere.
“Her story was the reason I decided to stop making excuses for myself and take accountability in order to earn my HSED,” Morris said.
Big dreams ahead
As Morris prepares for graduation day, she feels a mix of excitement, anxiety, and joy.
“When I told [my kids] I was graduating, my daughter told me she might cry watching me walk across the stage. My boys told me they are proud of me,” Morris said.
Along with her children, her biggest supporter was her sister, Santrelle. "She always pushed me and told me how proud she was of me for not giving up, even though getting my HSED took a long time," Morris said.
With her HSED complete, Morris is already taking steps to achieve her next big goal.
She’ll start classes this spring in NWTC’s Practical Nursing program, aiming to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) within the next year and a half to two years.
Her advice to people trying to earn their HSED or GED certificate is to “never give up” – no matter how hard it is.
“Never be afraid to ask questions and don’t worry what people think and say about you.” Morris said.
Reflecting on the role NWTC had in achieving her goals, Morris said, “NWTC has changed my life. No matter how many times I felt like I failed myself, the teachers were there to push me and help me develop the skills I needed.”
