Goodwill celebrated its latest class of graduates from the Gary and Hammond Excel Centers on June 7 with a ceremony attended by friends, supporters, and loved ones.
Goodwill’s Excel Centers offer adult students the opportunity to obtain an Indiana Core 40 high school diploma for free while removing obstacles to education through services such as drop-in childcare, transportation assistance, and flexible scheduling. In addition to earning their high school diplomas, graduates looking to continue their education are provided with college preparatory support and the chance to earn post-diploma certifications.
Friday’s ceremony took place at Calumet New Tech High School’s gym. As students’ names were called to receive their diplomas, smiles could be seen on every face around. Every student had a unique journey to the moment, and many had to tackle obstacles to reach graduation.
“I’ve always loved school and learning new things, but life doesn’t always go as planned. I became pregnant my junior year of high school and decided to drop out to become a full-time mother,” Brittany Hopkins, a graduate from the Gary Excel Center, said. “I attempted going back to school a few times over the years, but things always seemed to get in the way: a new job, a move to a new city/state, my health, and overall, just being a mom.”
In 2022, Hopkins committed to going back to school after finding herself in a shelter with her two daughters. Following some research, Hopkins decided on the Excel Center, thanks to the assistance they offer.
“The fact that the Excel Center offered free childcare and help with transportation had me sold convinced. This was the push I needed to get me going,” Hopkins said. “Once enrolled, I found that the Excel Center offers so much support. The staff give you all of the encouragement and motivation you need to succeed.”
Hopkins graduated from the Excel Center with her diploma, as well as a certification as a pharmacy technician. Supported by the Excel Center staff, she has taken the first step towards attending pharmacy school. In addition, Hopkins was awarded the Debie Coble Award of Excellence for the Gary Excel Center Class of 2024. The award is given to one student from every graduating class for showing persistence in pursuing their education.
“The staff at the Gary Excel Center are amazing! I loved my teachers for giving me an amazing experience and a second chance at my senior year of high school. I’m forever grateful for this,” Hopkins said. “The knowledge I’ve gained this year at the Gary Excel Center will live with me forever. Coming here changed my life in ways I thought were impossible before.”
Hammond Excel Center Graduate and Debie Coble Award of Excellence Winner Isaac Marquez also faced significant challenges in finishing his education. Marquez dropped out of high school during the COVID-19 pandemic after falling into a deep depression caused by self-isolation to protect his immuno-compromised family members.
“I felt as though I let myself and others down in many ways. There was a hole in my life left by my high school journey never really being completed,” Marquez said. “I came into the Hammond Excel Center scared and broken, but from the first interaction, I felt welcomed and cared for.”
Attending the Hammond Excel Center helped Marquez to see the world of possibility still before him. He credits successful completion of his diploma to the staff and teachers who supported him along the way.
“I have nothing but good things to say about the Excel Center. The classes were great, the teachers were incredible, and the staff were amazing. Every concern I had was met and every challenge supported,” Marquez said. “All of my teachers were open to helping during class and adapting to how the lesson was going. Not to sound dramatic, but I could not have finished my diploma without the help and support of the people at the Excel Center.”
Marquez intends to head directly into work with the new skills he’s obtained. Whether graduates follow Marquez as members of the Region’s workforce or pursue further education like Hopkins, they all accomplished something incredible in graduating from the Excel Center.
“My advice to anyone who doesn’t have a high school diploma and wants to achieve that goal is to call the Excel Center,” Hopkins said. “It’ll be one of the best decisions you make!”
Goodwill’s Excel Centers strive to help adult students achieve their education goals through flexible programming and high-quality support programs. Those interested in learning more about the Excel Centers can visit Diploma4Me.com.
To learn more about Goodwill and the other services it offers, visit their website.
