High School Equivalency (HSE) Preparation, 2022 Graduate
“Without an education, you can't have a proper job.”
Capital District EOC graduate Clementina V. earned her High School Equivalency diploma at 79 years old, proving that it’s never too late to continue one’s education. It was her young granddaughter’s curiosity and interest in learning that pushed Clementina to go back to school four years ago.
"Without an education, you can't have a proper job," said Clementina, who left school at 18 years old when she was still living in the South American country Guyana. She managed to make money as a security guard and occasionally selling reptiles that she caught, but she wanted to do better for herself and her family.
Despite the difficulties she encountered with math, particularly the algebra and geometry concepts she had never seen before, Clementina found that she still loved to learn, even when it was hard.
“I did so much math I dreamt of it, but I was so happy to keep on learning,” she said.
Now living in the United States with her high school education completed, Clementina wants to go to college and dreams of becoming a hospital chaplain so she can provide comfort and spiritual guidance to support patients.