Attend our avant-garde graduation as 65 adult learners ranging in age from 17-65 celebrate gaining their high school equivalency degrees with family, friends and their teachers. The ceremony takes place on Saturday, May 18 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Harris County Department of Education Adult Learning, 6300 Irvington Blvd., Houston, Texas.

Adult graduate Virginia Haracha, 56, Pasadena, Texas:
With 25 years of service in the public sector, Virginia Haracha, 56, feared she might lose her job because she had not told the truth about earning her GED. Rather than dismiss her, Haracha’s employer gave the Pasadena resident three weeks to earn her high school equivalency degree. After getting her GED, she also received a promotion and raise.

Through the help of her teacher, support from her family and encouragement from the president of her place of employment, she walks the stage on May 18 at 11 a.m. at Harris County Department of Education through the Adult Education program.

“I can’t believe I got it that quick, and I’d been scared of doing it forever,” she said. “I did it, and I’m proud of myself.”

View Virginia’s story: https://youtu.be/tI_-ljFIBL0

Adult graduate Veronica Davila, Baytown, Texas:
Spanish-speaking student Veronica Davila moved to the United States two years ago. A registered nurse in Mexico, she started over to receive her credentials in the United States. Upon passing her high school equivalency diploma, she enrolled in free certified nursing assistant classes, as well as free phlebotomy classes. She is employed at a local nursing home as a CNA. She continues to take English conversation classes with HCDE to improve her conversation skills with her patients. Her future plans include enrolling in nursing classes at Lee College.

View Veronica’s story: https://youtu.be/BSyn_0ROU-Y

Adult graduate Andrea Rodriguez, Alief, Texas:
Mother and wife Andrea Rodriguez tried to go back to school twice. The third time was the charm. Her inspiration was encouragement from a friend who showed her a photo of two women posing in a grad photo from HCDE.

“If they could do it, so could I,” she said.

Math was hard for Andrea, but she persisted with the help of her teacher. Once she completed her GED, she enrolled in CNA classes and plans to work in the medical field with her credentials.

“I’m excited about helping other people,” Rodriguez said.

View Andrea’s story: https://youtu.be/EjljvoRayAY

About HCDE Adult Education: HCDE Adult Education is the largest, no-cost adult education program in Texas, with a variety of health care and construction career training options in Harris and Liberty counties. Students may also take English as a second language classes and high school equivalency degree classes simultaneously in a traditional classroom setting or online. For more information, go to http://www.hcde-texas.org/adult-education.

About Harris County Department of Education: HCDE provides special education, therapy services, early education, adult education and after-school programming. Services are funded by government grants, fees and a local property tax of approximately $9 per homeowner. For every dollar in local property tax collected, HCDE provides $4.86 in services to the 25 Harris County school districts. We operate four campuses for students with profound special education needs and adjudicated or recovering youth who require a low, student-teacher ratio and highly structured environment. One-hundred percent of students served on HCDE campuses are at-risk. We are governed by an elected board of seven trustees and have 1,100 employees and 33 facilities, including 15 Head Start centers. More info at www.hcde-texas.org.