Friday, May 30, 1997
Grad finds inspiration in daughter
By LESLIE STRADER / Abilene Reporter-News
Priscilla Marie is Carlos Romero's pride and joy. But tonight,
the 8-week-old infant will have plenty of reasons to be just as
proud of her papa.
After dropping out of high school at the beginning of his senior
year two years ago, Romero will receive his high school diploma
tonight at the Big Country Adult Education Cooperative's graduation
ceremony.
Romero, 20, earned his GED in December, but soon learned he
would need more to have the kind of life he wanted for him and
his family.
"I was proud then when I got (my GED)," he said.
"But then I started to realize when I applied for jobs, they
wanted someone young like me to have a diploma instead of GED."
Romero then got involved in Project Worksight, a program that
targets disadvantaged young people to help them finish their education
or prepare for a job. His daughter was born when he was four weeks
into the program.
He said he missed only one day of the project classes, to be
at the birth of his daughter, then went back the next day because
"it was important to me."
Once Romero finished the program in April, he enrolled again
in Adult Education to start earning his high school diploma credits.
"The day she was born was the happiest day of my life
so far," he said, smiling. "I didn't know it'd be like
that. It was a rush of emotion. I want my daughter and my girlfriend
to have good things. The program inspired me to go back, but my
daughter was the one who was the will to get me to finish."
Romero expects about 20 friends and family members to be cheering
for him as he crosses the commencement stage tonight, but this
diploma probably means the most to his father.
Romero's father came to America from Peru nearly 20 years ago,
and soon after, sent for his family. One of the main reasons the
Romeros moved to this country was so their three sons could receive
good educations.
"I've made a lot of people proud, I've made myself proud
and I've finally made my dad proud," he said. "He was
one of the people who's been behind me. This is the reason we
came to America. He doesn't usually, but tonight, I think I have
a clue he'll show some emotion."
The next step for Romero is to get a job, which he is in the
process of securing. But his goal by this time next year is to
have just finished his first year of college. He wants to major
in sociology and hopes to someday be a counselor or probation
officer.
"I feel like I have a lot of weight off my shoulders,"
he said. "Practically every day I would wake up and think
about getting my high school diploma. I'd wake up every day and
wish I had it. Now I know I do and it makes me feel good.
"I want Priscilla to know education is important no matter
what school you go to. It's important throughout your whole life."
Being the oldest of six, Romero said his completing school
sets a good example not only for his own child, but also for his
younger brothers and sisters.
He wants them all to know they can achieve their goals if they
dig in and work hard.
"A lot of people say you have to fail to succeed,"
Romero said. "Well, I've failed, but I've succeeded now.
And I'm not going to stop here. I'm going to keep on succeeding
the rest of my life."
Graduation ceremony
Adults from across the Big Country will receive the fruits
of their academic labor tonight during the Big Country Adult Education
Cooperative's annual graduation and recognition ceremony.
Of the 500 adults who received their GED certificates this
year, 85 will participate in the 7 p.m. ceremony in the Abilene
High School auditorium, 2800 N. 6th.
School board President Betty Davis will present the certificates
to the local and area students, who range in age from 17 to 61.
Receiving their high school diploma will be 53 adults from
Abilene, Cooper, Wylie and Jim Ned high schools. Representatives
of the schools will present the diplomas.
The program will also recognize adults who have become naturalized
citizens. Fourteen new citizens will be presented certificates
by Carlos Rodriguez, assistant secretary of the school board.
Mike Cope, pastor of Highland Church of Christ, will address
the graduates. The Abilene Community Band will perform and, following
the ceremony, the Stenograph Institute of Texas will host a reception
for the graduates and their families.
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Copyright ©1997,
Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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