The goal Heather Waters has for an education and a nursing career once looked all but impossible to achieve, but on May 27 she will begin classes during Arapahoe Community College's summer session toward pursuing those goals. Her dreams now seem possible after receiving her General Education Development Diploma through the test she took at ACC and participating in the College's GED graduation ceremonies on May 10.

Not only did Heather Waters participate, she represented the students as speaker during the noon ceremonies at the Orchard Road Christian Center, 8081 Orchard Rd. The GED graduation traditionally follows the graduation for ACC students who earned associate degrees, and this year both ceremonies were scheduled indoors due to forecasts for inclement weather. ACC's GED program helps anyone earn their GED, whether they are17 years old or 64.

Lots of friends and relatives attended the ceremony to watch Waters receive her GED and to hear her speak. In addition to her mom, step-dad and friends, both of her grandmothers, an uncle and three cousins all showed their support.

"Everyone else showed up at the house later," Waters said. "I'm pretty much the first one in the family to make it this far. I was really nervous. It was something my grandmas wanted to see," Waters said. "A couple of people were there that I didn't know were going to be there. There were a lot of people. I kept thinking, 'Don't fall on your face. Just don't fall.'"

Waters' grandmother Tina DeHerrera, her mother Christine Gonzales and her step-father Timmy Gonzales provided much support while she was working toward her GED. "They always made sure I had what I needed for school," Waters said. "They drove me to school when I needed a ride, and my grandma put good words in my mind. 'You can do it. Don't give up.' I knew she was just a phone call away if I needed her."

Waters stopped making progress toward her high school diploma when she started having trouble with some of the other girls, she said. First they started rumors about her. Then they said they wanted to beat her up, and after she was assaulted a couple of times she was afraid to go back.

At that point, earning a high school diploma seemed almost impossible. Then a teacher at Englewood High School got her registered in a GED program. After going through the program and taking a successful pre-test, she went to the ACC Testing Center, took the GED test and passed it. When GED Graduation Coordinator Kelly LoCascio sent out information about ACC's GED commencement ceremony this May, Heather Waters called her to say she would attend the ceremony. LoCascio told the graduate she was looking for a commencement speaker, and Waters agreed to speak.

"I'm proud of her," said her friend, Chad Machen. "She wanted to do something with her life. She just went out there and did it."

In addition to the GED test, Arapahoe Community College offers a full GED preparatory curriculum, LoCascio said. Nine-week preparatory courses are offered four times a year. Sponsored by the ACC Non-Credit Program, the courses help persons 17 years of age or older prepare for the GED Exam. Students who register for any of these courses will be given a pre-GED exam during the first week of class. The free pre-GED test also can be taken online at www.gedpractice.com or www.testprepreview.com. Scores from the pretest will indicate readiness to take the official test.

The summer session for the GED course at ArapahoeCommunity College begins on June 16. Students can re-register for the course each term until they are ready to take the GED test. ACC students also can work at their own pace and within the convenience of their own home through classes online. For information or to register by phone, call 303.797.5722 or 303.797.5608., or e-mail community.ed@arapahoe.edu.

Contact: Kelly LoCascio, GED graduation coordinator

Phone: 303.797.5981

E-mail: kelly.locascio@arapahoe.edu

Since 1965,ArapahoeCommunity College has served the south Denver metropolitan area. One of 13 colleges in the Colorado Community College System, ACC offers 70 degree and certificate programs to its 7,500 plus credit students per semester through sites in downtown Littleton and Parker. ACC also offers professional development, customized training
and other non-credit offerings enjoyed by many more lifelong learners.

ArapahoeCommunity CollegeMission Statement:

To provide an accessible, responsive learning environment that facilitates the achievement of educational, professional and personal goals by our students and other members of our communities in an atmosphere that embrace
academic excellence, diversity and innovation.