Vicky Barnes:
Vicky Barnes came to the Cassville AEL classes through the Division of Family Services. At DFS Vicky was in the AFDC program and enrolled in Futures. In addition to attending classes everyday from 8 to 3 she also worked at the Seligman Library. She was responsible for opening and closing duties as well as cataloging books. Vicky is a single mother of three and tries very hard to make sure her children do not have to struggle the way she has.
Vicky never felt returning to school at the age of 40 was going to be easy. She talked a friend into coming to classes with her so she would have a ride. When her friend stopped coming she allowed Vicky to use the vehicle so she could continue. When that situation also fell apart Vicky rode the Head Start bus to school with her youngest son, determined to get her GED.
Vicky passed her GED in the spring of 2000 and participated in the graduation ceremony in June. She began her college education in the summer of 2000 at Crowder College and is doing very, very well in those classes. Vicky is pursuing an associates degree in Office Management. She also works as a work-study in the Cassville AEL class where it all began.

Rebecca Lunsford:
Rebecca Lunsford began attending Even Start in Anderson with her infant son, Michael, in September 1998. She completed the program successfully and passed the GED test in May 1999.
Rebecca very much wanted to finish high school after Michael was born, but was unable to find anyone to home school her. Even Start was the perfect program for Rebecca. She could complete her studies and bring Michael with her.
Rebecca says that having her GED has definitely boosted her self-esteem. She and her husband have recently bought their first home and Rebecca plans to go on to college in September 2001. She plans to become a Physical Therapy Aide.
“I have set higher goals for myself and my family. Having my GED has given me a chance to go on in life. I could not have done this without the help of Even Start.”

Janae Trout:
Janae Trout entered Crowder College Even Start as part of the Futures program. At the time, she was a teen mother with one daughter and a son on the way. While she was enrolled in the program, her son was born. Janae took six weeks off from school, studying while at home. When her son was six weeks old she returned to the program.
Because of the program, Janae’s dreams, goals and ambitions came alive. She began to envision a brighter future for herself and her children. Janae earned her GED in the spring of 2000. She currently works at Gravette Medical Center. She loves her work and finds it very rewarding. She plans to attend college and enter a nursing program.

Lori Tate:
Several months after Lori Tate began attending Crowder College Even Start, she told staff about the first day she attended class and how she almost didn’t take the step that would change her life.
It was August 29, 1999. Lori had found the address but drove around the block two more times before pulling into the Even Start parking lot. With her heart pounding, she hesitantly opened the door and stepped into a bright new world.
Lori dropped out of high school soon after she married at the age of 17. Years passed, and her life revolved around her growing family. As her five children grew and began attending school, she cherished a secret desire to finish her high school education. Finally, when her oldest son was a senior in high school, she decided she would try to get her GED and graduate the same year. From the first, Lori was a serious student and on February 18, 2000, she took the GED. The good news came about two weeks later that she had not only passed the test but had scored high enough to receive a scholarship to Crowder College. Lori is now a student at Crowder. Her studies are progressing well; she is also a member of the newspaper staff and is considering a future in journalism.