I recently went to a graduation held by the Trident Literacy Association (TLA).  At that graduation were people from all walks of life.  There were business people, lawyers, teachers, sons, daughters, moms and dads attending with me.  There were congratulations expressed for the graduates, cheers and tears for the graduates and most of all great expectations, hopes and encouragement for the graduates.  It sounds normal for a graduation ceremony, until you realize that these students were all adults earning their GED.     
Hearing their stories inspired me.  One student was a mother who didn’t finish high school.   You see, at the time that she was a pregnant teen in school, she was not permitted by our society to finish her education.   She did the right thing, she raised her children as best she could and chose to be a good role model by going back to school.   Now, she is on her way to higher education to encourage her children to always take steps for improvement in their lives.
Another young woman left school at age 16 to care for her ill mother.  Her mother passed away this Winter, and at age 21 she knew that it was important to finish her high school education and she did.  She is now going to have a child of her own and share with her child the value of finishing anything of great importance even when life seems to get in the way.
One young man grew up in rural South Carolina, where it was difficult to get to school.  School buses didn’t go out that far and no one around him could take him.  Besides, he was told to get a job and not waste his time in school.  But he soon wanted more, he wanted an education and a better paying job.  He earned his GED and even started at Trident Technical College over Summer.  And guess what, he is in the computer science program and has a 4 point grade average.  He just needed a chance.
All the students there needed a chance, for some a second chance.  They did it, they all excelled.   More importantly, better job opportunities and higher education opportunities have opened up for each of them.    
 Did you know that TLA wants to open a learning site in Summerville?   I hope that Summerville residents encourage TLA to do so, so that Summerville residents, needing a chance or second chance can be part of TLA graduation next year.

Judianne Schmenk, a Summerville resident and new member of the TLA staff