Student Spotlight: Rickia

Hey, my name is Rickia. I’m thirty-four years old and from Gary, Indiana. I have three siblings on my mother’s side and two on my father’s side. Life has blessed me with a beautiful daughter. I also have a wonderful career in the medical field as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

I came to The Literacy Alliance to further my education and earn my high school equivalency (HSE) diploma. I completed all high school with more than enough credits to graduate, but my biggest mistake was not passing the ISTEP test, which was required to receive my diploma. My goal when I enrolled was to become a graduate before December—and I did it!

My experience at The Literacy Alliance has been amazing. When I first started, I was unsure and nervous. Trying to start over at my age had me on edge, but as the days and months passed, my faith grew stronger. With the support and encouragement of my teachers, I was able to overcome that nervousness and believe in myself again.

My future plans include signing up for college and studying to become a Respiratory Therapist. I also plan to advance my current career by earning my QMA certificate. For now, I’m enjoying being an HSE graduate and looking forward to all the new opportunities ahead.

Down the road, I see myself graduating from college with a degree. I’d like to express my gratitude to The Literacy Alliance-especially Melanee, Amy, Megan, and the tutors. Without everyone’s help, I wouldn’t have made it this far. My family has been my backbone, always pushing me to never give up and supporting me every step of the way.

The best advice I can give is this: it’s never too late, and always keep God first in everything you do.