Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs. I’m not shy about talking about my time leaving home and supporting myself as a street hustler, doing things a 16-year-old had no business doing. My real struggle came in high school. I never got to finish because of the homophobia I faced from my principal and guidance counselors. Their prejudice made an already tough time even harder. When I returned home after my journey and tried to resume my public education, I would have only been a year behind. But the principal, Frank Lay, told me I couldn’t come back because my ideas and the way I am would be like an infection within the student body. My dad sided with Frank Lay, not knowing the actual words spoken to me. When I told my dad that Frank Lay said I could not return to school and that I wanted to take it up with the school system, my dad’s reply was to leave it alone. He said they did well by my sister and it might be for the best that I don’t go back anyway. I was basically forced to leave school and give up my right to public education without a diploma. Years later, Frank Lay was the subject of not one but two lawsuits brought by the American Civil Liberties Union aka the ACLU. During my freshman and sophomore years, I had numerous run ins with Lay and the rest of the school staff. One day I will share a full account of my high school experience as well as stories regarding some things going on at school, no holds barred. The only person in the office who treated me fairly was a sweet secretary named Nita Reed, who also at times worked in the library. Fast forward to today, and here I am at 48, finally taking steps to get my GED.
One of the biggest blessings in this journey has been the company I currently work for. They’ve been incredibly supportive, not just emotionally but financially too. They’re covering the costs of my lessons and the tests, which has taken a huge weight off my shoulders and inspired me to finish high school, even though I’ve done well without a diploma. It’s amazing to work for a company that genuinely cares about personal growth and success.
So far, I’ve managed to pass the science, language arts, and social studies tests. Each one was a hurdle, but I got through them with a lot of hard work and a bit of luck. The feeling of passing those tests was incredible, like reclaiming a part of my life that I thought was lost forever. It’s been a mix of relief and pride, knowing that I’m capable of achieving this. For so many years, I felt like I shouldn’t bother investing the time, energy, and money.
Now, I’m staring down the final test: math. Math has always been my Achilles’ heel, and it’s even more daunting now because the curriculum has changed so much since I was in school. The thought of tackling it is terrifying, but I’m determined to push through. I’ve been putting in extra hours of study, and I’m hopeful that with enough preparation, I’ll be able to conquer this last challenge.
This journey has been a rollercoaster of emotions, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. I’m grateful for the support I’ve received and proud of the progress I’ve made. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that it’s never too late to chase your dreams and make them a reality. Here’s to passing that math test and finally getting my GED!
