At Madera Adult School, Jose Uribe’s journey is a powerful example of perseverance, commitment, and personal transformation. As a high school senior, Jose learned he was going to become a father. Faced with overwhelming responsibility, he left school to work and support his family, eventually encountering significant personal challenges along the way.

In 2014, Jose made a life-changing decision to pursue sobriety and committed himself to rebuilding his life. As years of construction work began to impact his health, he recognized the need for a new direction and enrolled in adult education. With focus and determination, he completed his remaining credits in just one year and earned his high school diploma with his family by his side.

Now 52 years old and 11 years sober, Jose is a full-time student at Madera Community College, working toward a degree in Social Work and Human Services with a focus on addiction counseling. He also leads a recovery program at his church and serves as a volunteer student ambassador for the State Center Adult Education Consortium.
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Through perseverance and commitment to adult education, Jose has transformed his life and now serves as a role model for his family and community.

At Monrovia Community Adult School, Maria de Lourdes Baruch’s journey is a powerful testament to perseverance and the impact of encouragement. She first enrolled in ESL classes in 2008 as a non-English speaker, eager to improve her language skills, but paused her education to raise her children.

In 2016, Maria returned to continue her studies, where a counselor recognized her prior college-level accounting coursework and encouraged her to pursue her high school diploma. Following that guidance, Maria earned her diploma in 2018 and continued her education at Citrus College, earning her associate degree in 2021.

With continued encouragement from her professors, Maria went on to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Cal Poly Pomona in 2023. Today, she works as an accountant in Monrovia and is actively pursuing her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credentials.
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Maria’s journey from ESL student to future CPA is a strong reminder that, with perseverance and the right support, anything is possible.

At Corona-Norco Adult School, Minzhi “Mindy” Zhang’s journey reflects the transformative power of adult education. In 2022, she was honored with the Friends of Adult Education scholarship, where she shared her dream of becoming a Mandarin teacher. Since that time, she has worked tirelessly to turn that vision into reality.

After being selected as a C2CT candidate later that year, Mindy fully committed herself to earning her credentials. By 2025, she achieved both a Multiple Subject and Single Subject Teaching Credential, along with a Bilingual Authorization in Mandarin. She is currently awaiting final evaluations for additional authorizations in Foundational Mathematics and English Language Development.

Today, Mindy serves as a substitute teacher in the district, continuing to build her classroom experience with the goal of securing a permanent position. She has also embraced her role as an ambassador for adult education, mentoring new immigrants and sharing how CNUSD provides the opportunity to restart both a career and a life.
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Mindy keeps a memento from her graduation as a daily reminder of her mission—demonstrating that adult education is not only a pathway for students, but a place where dreams can be reclaimed.

At Sutter County Adult Education, Brianna M. Leal enrolled after being encouraged by her brother to join the program. Through determination and perseverance, she earned her high school diploma—taking two breaks along the way to focus on raising her family.

After graduating, Brianna found inspiration in a friend working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and decided to pursue her own passion for caring for others. She enrolled in the Sutter County Adult Education Health program, drawn by its convenient location and flexible schedule, which allowed her to balance her studies while raising her two young children.

Throughout the enrollment process, Brianna demonstrated strong enthusiasm and commitment. She was consistently punctual, well-prepared, and maintained a positive attitude. Her communication and reliability made the process seamless and reflected her strong potential for success in the healthcare field.
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Brianna is on track to complete her studies and plans to take the state exams to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.

At Lynwood Community Adult School, Irene Harapat began her journey in 2016 with a clear goal: to be a role model for her three daughters and show that actions speak louder than words.

Her path was not without challenges. During her first term, Irene faced significant obstacles at home that made completing her high school diploma feel uncertain. With the support of LCAS teachers and staff, she built confidence, strengthened her time management skills, and remained committed to her goals.

While enrolled, Irene actively participated in Associated Student Body activities, helping organize events such as the Walk for Health, Health Fair, and Open House. In June 2018, she graduated with honors, earning her diploma with a 3.3 GPA and receiving the Presidential Silver Award.

Motivated to continue, Irene enrolled at Compton College, balancing school, family, and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, she earned her Associate Degree in Elementary Education while tutoring peers and volunteering in her daughters’ schools.

Irene is set to graduate on May 15, 2026, from California State University, Dominguez Hills with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, focusing on educating children with disabilities and earning a bilingual authorization in Spanish.
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Her story reflects the transformative power of adult education and the impact of perseverance, support, and purpose.

At Bassett Adult School, Cristian Garcia began his educational journey by enrolling in the HVAC program at just 17½ years old, later expanding his training in the Introduction to Building and Construction course.

From the start, Cristian demonstrated strong dedication and commitment, quickly excelling in hands-on projects. He built 8x10 sheds and gained experience in roof framing, sawhorse construction, door framing, and window installation. Through this work, he developed problem-solving skills, increased confidence, and proved himself to be a reliable team member.

During this time, Cristian also earned his driver’s license and actively pursued a career in the Carpenters Union, attending meetings and seeking guidance from advisors. In just eight months, he achieved significant progress—securing employment with Performance Contracting, Inc., joining Carpenters Union Local 714, and being selected for a major project in Texas.
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Cristian’s rapid advancement reflects his determination, skill, and commitment to building a successful career in the construction industry.