December 17, 2020

Moving to a new country and being immersed into a completely different culture in the middle of a pandemic has not stopped Yradel Morgan from excelling. Fortunately, she made it to the U.S. and got married less than two weeks before the covid shutdown. Here is a snapshot of her story:

I grew up in the Philippines and went to school there. When I moved earlier this year, I learned that the U.S. would not recognize that I am a high school graduate. I knew that one of the first things I needed to do was get a high school diploma that the U.S. would credit. It would be much easier to get a job with an HSE.

I started class in September and was able to get my diploma by November. When I took the test, I was most worried about science and math, but I passed all the subjects on my first try! Finding out I passed was a proud moment. Having my HSE means a lot to me because it is a big help for me since life here is completely different from life in the Philippines.

My advice to others wanting to get their HSE is to not give up and be willing to do whatever it takes because it’s a big help! I would eventually like to go into the medical field and am interested in becoming a CNA.

We are proud of you, Yradel, for all the time and effort you put forth while you were working toward your HSE. You had your mind made up that you were going to get it, and that is exactly what you did!

Yradel’s teacher, Marsha Stowe, commented, “Every day that Yradel came to class, she would work on her reading, and every day she would impress me. Her success was sheer hard work and dedication.”

Earning an HSE is quite an accomplishment for anyone, but the fact that Yradel was able to earn it so quickly in her second language is extremely remarkable.