Celeste Robles

 At the age of 15 my mom and I moved to Mexico where I started high school. After 6 months I was asked to leave because I had moved out of my mother’s house. I was able to finish high school in Mexico with a private tutor. A year later I was pregnant and living in California. My diploma was not worth anything in the U.S., so I attended a school for teen moms. I loved that school. I was close to finishing when my baby’s father had to go back to Mexico. I needed to work to support myself and my daughter. My sister lived in Virginia and invited me to come and stay with her.I met my husband, and we have a total of 4 daughters. I tried to go back to get my GED® several times over the years but stopped several times to work. Last year I became more determined than ever to get my GED®. I wanted to set a good example for my children. I knew this is what I wanted and needed and now I have it.I am so glad that I saw the flyers for Mount Roger’s classes when I took my daughters to head start. One of the ladies there had told me that she had just finished her GED® in her seventies. I knew it was never too late, so I signed up for classes. I work night shift and it is hard to find time to study. Miss Sue was my instructor, and she is the best! She would call or text me weekly and she pushed me until I made it. She was always there when I needed her, and she is still helping me with my resume and other certificates I am able to get.I have learned that when I want something, I will get it no matter how long it takes. My mom always said “quere es poder” which means “want it is doing it”. I wanted it and I worked hard to get it.Now that I have my GED®, I feel free to pick ANY road I want. I do not know what career I want yet but I do know that I love people and I want to work where I can help people.