Varinia Fitros receives her GED diploma from Zeeland Public Schools Superintendent Rod Hetherton during the Zeeland Adult Education graduation ceremony June 3.
Photo by Greg Chandler
By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
For Varinia Fitros, graduating with her GED meant way more than simply finishing school.
It represented a transformation for Fitros, a wife and mother of four who received her GED diploma June 3 during the Zeeland Adult Education graduation ceremony at the Midtown Center in Holland. She was one of the speakers at the ceremony.
“There was a time that I felt stuck, in cycles of fear, doubt and pain – obstacles that made me believe I would never get to where I needed to be,” Fitros said. “(It was) a nightmare that I could not wake up from, facing near death and constant fear – (the voices that said) ‘I’m not going to make it’ felt louder than anything else in my mind.”
But with the support of family, friends and her faith community, Fitros pushed through the negative thoughts.
“Eventually, I realized something important. Nobody else could rewrite my life for me,” she said. “I had to be the one to make the decision about what I was going to change, how I was going to change, and what steps might be needed in order to achieve the goals I wanted for my life.”
Fitros was one of 30 students who received their GED diplomas during the ceremony, 17 of whom also completed the Literacy to Work program. Eight others were awarded their high school diplomas. One of those eight, Diana Hall, received her diploma early in the ceremony so she could head over to West Ottawa High School to see her own son get his diploma.
“Earning a high school diploma or GED and/or completing a career technical education class is a difficult accomplishment for most students as they work fulltime, have families and household obligations,” Zeeland Adult Education program director Michael O’Connor said.
“Some have been incarcerated, abused, started families at a young age, have had substance abuse issues, and have struggled financially. But they still don’t give up hope. Our amazing staff helps them achieve their goals and walks beside them all the way.”
Twenty-five students completed the career technical education program through the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District’s Thompson M-TEC school. Graduates earned certification for medical office, dental assistant, nursing assistant, plumbing, welding, and property maintenance.
The Zeeland Adult Education program offers English as a Second Language, serving more than 650 students, representing 47 countries and 42 different languages. Of those ESL students, 22 who had earned college degrees in their native countries were able to have their transcripts transcribed into U.S. college degrees and credits.
“This is an arduous process, and (it’s) becoming more difficult to obtain the credentials from some countries,” O’Connor said.
Sara Dalboni came to the U.S. from her native Brazil a year-and-a-half ago when her husband was transferred to a job in the area. Dalboni had previously worked for the Brazilian government and had two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s, but had not yet worked in this country because of the language barrier. Now with improved English skills and U.S. college credit for her previous education, she plans to hit the job market.
“I proved to myself I can do difficult things, when I believe in myself and keep moving forward, even when I’m afraid,” said Dalboni, a mother of two.
Zeeland Public Schools Superintendent Rod Hetherton handed out diplomas and posed for photos with graduates, as family members and friends captured the moment on their smart phones.
“Your journey reflects courage and determination,” Hetherton said. “Your achievement is about more than a diploma or certificate. It’s evidence that growth can happen at any stage of life. It’s proof that goals are worth pursuing, no matter how long it may take to reach them.”
A new round of ESL, GED and high school completion courses through Zeeland Adult Education begins next month. Call (616) 494-3416 for more information or to register.
Zeeland Record
For Varinia Fitros, graduating with her GED meant way more than simply finishing school.
It represented a transformation for Fitros, a wife and mother of four who received her GED diploma June 3 during the Zeeland Adult Education graduation ceremony at the Midtown Center in Holland. She was one of the speakers at the ceremony.
“There was a time that I felt stuck, in cycles of fear, doubt and pain – obstacles that made me believe I would never get to where I needed to be,” Fitros said. “(It was) a nightmare that I could not wake up from, facing near death and constant fear – (the voices that said) ‘I’m not going to make it’ felt louder than anything else in my mind.”
But with the support of family, friends and her faith community, Fitros pushed through the negative thoughts.
“Eventually, I realized something important. Nobody else could rewrite my life for me,” she said. “I had to be the one to make the decision about what I was going to change, how I was going to change, and what steps might be needed in order to achieve the goals I wanted for my life.”
Fitros was one of 30 students who received their GED diplomas during the ceremony, 17 of whom also completed the Literacy to Work program. Eight others were awarded their high school diplomas. One of those eight, Diana Hall, received her diploma early in the ceremony so she could head over to West Ottawa High School to see her own son get his diploma.
“Earning a high school diploma or GED and/or completing a career technical education class is a difficult accomplishment for most students as they work fulltime, have families and household obligations,” Zeeland Adult Education program director Michael O’Connor said.
“Some have been incarcerated, abused, started families at a young age, have had substance abuse issues, and have struggled financially. But they still don’t give up hope. Our amazing staff helps them achieve their goals and walks beside them all the way.”
Twenty-five students completed the career technical education program through the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District’s Thompson M-TEC school. Graduates earned certification for medical office, dental assistant, nursing assistant, plumbing, welding, and property maintenance.
The Zeeland Adult Education program offers English as a Second Language, serving more than 650 students, representing 47 countries and 42 different languages. Of those ESL students, 22 who had earned college degrees in their native countries were able to have their transcripts transcribed into U.S. college degrees and credits.
“This is an arduous process, and (it’s) becoming more difficult to obtain the credentials from some countries,” O’Connor said.
Sara Dalboni came to the U.S. from her native Brazil a year-and-a-half ago when her husband was transferred to a job in the area. Dalboni had previously worked for the Brazilian government and had two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s, but had not yet worked in this country because of the language barrier. Now with improved English skills and U.S. college credit for her previous education, she plans to hit the job market.
“I proved to myself I can do difficult things, when I believe in myself and keep moving forward, even when I’m afraid,” said Dalboni, a mother of two.
Zeeland Public Schools Superintendent Rod Hetherton handed out diplomas and posed for photos with graduates, as family members and friends captured the moment on their smart phones.
“Your journey reflects courage and determination,” Hetherton said. “Your achievement is about more than a diploma or certificate. It’s evidence that growth can happen at any stage of life. It’s proof that goals are worth pursuing, no matter how long it may take to reach them.”
A new round of ESL, GED and high school completion courses through Zeeland Adult Education begins next month. Call (616) 494-3416 for more information or to register.
