I am a 65-year-old widow with three children and five grandchildren, and it was not until a bout with a serious health problem and my retirement within the past year that I began to get my priorities in order. One of these priorities was to complete high school equivalency and continue with more education.

Few people were aware of my limited formal education and, needless to say, my embarrassment and nervousness at discussing this little-known fact with anyone was dreadful. Imagine my surprise when on the occasion of my initial visit to The Learning Center, I was immediately put at ease by Veneta Coro and Marlene Libby. Thanks to them, in a few short minutes I realized I was not the only person in the world to lack a high school education, there wasn’t anything to be ashamed of, indeed I felt pleased I’d taken the first step and was encouraged to continue.

Barbara Nichols has guided my studies and testing with great good humor and sensitivity. Having now passed all the testing, my appointment with Rick Davis, the guidance counselor, has further assisted me in opportunities available and directions I may take.

The Learning Center has met my needs in very important ways. It has allowed me to work at a pace that was best suited to me and my abilities. Eileen M. Hodges Bangor