Student Spotlight: Rian

My name is Rian, and I’m 19. I’m from Fort Wayne, Indiana, have two older siblings, and am expecting my first child. I have a wonderful boyfriend named Pete, and I currently work as a server at a local restaurant.

I came to The Literacy Alliance because I wanted a better future. I want to go to school for Cosmetology eventually, and I knew my first step to being able to do that was getting my high school equivalency (HSE) diploma.

Growing up, I was in and out of public school, switching schools and even trying an online program, but I was always behind. At one point, I was ready to go back to school and finish my senior year, but I had to move across the country, which messed everything up that I had planned for that last year of high school. I took a break from school until I came across The Literacy Alliance. The Project Graduate program gave me the help I needed to finish my schooling. The first day, I felt really behind in my knowledge, especially in math, but all the hands-on help I got helped me quickly learn and be better prepared. Now that I am ready to take my test, I feel like I have accomplished something I have been dreading for a while now. I am also one step closer to the career I want.

My experience at The Literacy Alliance has been really good, and I’m glad I came across this option. If I hadn’t, I would probably still be lost in where to start or what to do to get where I wanted to be.

My plan after the Literacy Alliance and after getting my HSE is to find a better job for the time being and then eventually go to cosmetology school.

Overall, I am very grateful I came across The Literacy Alliance. It has changed my life for the better, and if you are considering going back to school or wanting to get your diploma, all I can say is just do it. Do it for yourself and get it done! You got this, and good luck!