Alief resident Sindy Angel-Aguilar, 29, enrolled in GED classes with Harris County Department of Education after her children asked her which college she attended. Her story is intertwined with 73 other GED graduates who gain their GED diplomas at HCDE on May 27 at 7 p.m. at 6300 Irvington Blvd.
Valedictorian at the GED commencement is James Parker of Baytown. Salutatorian is Keron Seale from the Irvington Learning Center, 6515 Irvington.
“Going back to school is the first step to your personal miracle,” Angel-Aguilar said. “Now I tell people that whenever they think something is impossible, just think of me. Sindy did it, and so can you.”
GED classes at HCDE are free, along with other course offerings like English as a second language and adult basic literacy and math skills. Courses are offered at 65 locations throughout Harris County. They are taught by highly qualified, trained teachers said Eduardo Honold, director of HCDE Adult Education.
Angel-Aguilar attended school two nights a week at Killough Middle School where HCDE established a satellite location. Teachers Fredrick Moore and Sharmeka Barnes gave her weekly doses of encouragement, she said. She dropped out of high school as a sophomore to work to help support her mother with a family of 12. Today she is a medical assistant who plans to become a nurse.
“My teachers tell me that I can be anything I want to be,” said Angel-Aguilar, who gains new self confidence each day.
HCDE provides career counseling through counselor Susan Hoak. She visited Angel-Aguilar’s class and provided information about local community colleges and financial aide opportunities. Later she was outfitted for her college interview at Wharton Community College by Dress for Success, a nonprofit which provides clothing for needy women.
“Everything has just been a whirlwind leading her to college,” said Hoak.
HCDE Adult Education classes are offered morning, afternoon and evenings. Curriculum is based on Texas Adult Education Content Standards. Classes are held in Alief, Channelview, Crosby, Cy-Fair, Deer Park, Galena Park, Goose Creek, Huffman, Katy, Klein, LaPorte, North Forest, Pasadena, Sheldon and Spring Branch independent school districts as well as the Irvington Learning Center at 6300 Irvington Blvd. in northeast Houston.
For more information about HCDE Adult Education, access www.hcde-texas.org and locate “Adult Education” under services or call (713) 692-6216.
