November  2001

High School Drop Out Passing Course in Life

Tandra was unhappy, gradually falling deeper into depression. She knew there was so much more out there but felt she had thrown away any chances she had to achieve anything. Tandra had dropped out of school at 15, was married at 18 and now, at 22, she is a single mother of two without a future.

Years earlier, Tandra had been a rebellious teenager. She was bitter, defiant and cynically certain there were better things in life than school. Now, removed from her teenage rebellion, she realized that school was her path to better things. But with two kids and only her to support them, any sort of schooling or GED program seemed impossible—until she discovered the GED program at the Kansas School for Effective Learning (KANSEL), a United Way-funded agency.

"I wasn’t sure what to expect," says Tandra. "I thought I’d get my GED and go to hair school. People told me that’s what I should do, and I thought it might be interesting."

A New Test in Life

Tandra, however, wasn’t sure hair school was really what she wanted to do. Through KANSEL, she would soon find the key to unlocking her full potential.

"This program provided the extra push Tandra needed to complete school and move her life in a different direction," says Elizabeth Ancsin, director of education at KANSEL. "A direction that she ultimately wanted."

Tandra felt confident in all aspects of learning except for math, and her assessment tests conducted by KANSEL mirrored those feelings. She began taking a self-paced study program in math to ensure she would pass the GED exam.

"The support built Tandra’s self-esteem and she was able to realize how truly bright she is," says Ancsin.

Making the Grade

Tandra began to realize she could do anything and that she didn’t need to limit her goals. That attitude led her to complete the GED program in one month with a 309 exam score, the highest score KANSEL had ever recorded at that time.

Tandra received a full-ride scholarship to Cowley County Community College where, today, she has her sights set on working for the behavior science unit with the FBI, studying for degrees in forensic science and criminal psychology.

"Without this program, and their flexibility to work around my work schedule, I would still be sitting at home with no future," says Tandra. "I finally realized what I wanted to do and that I have the potential to get out there and do it. They inspired me and enabled me to believe in myself."

Receiving her GED was her goal when she started. Now it serves simply as her first step to achieving a life with purpose and meaning.

"This program taught me that you should always do something you love," says Tandra. "Today, I’m on my way to doing that."

Call United Way of the Plains at 267-1321 to find out more about how your money is helping our community.

United Way-Funded Programs That Care

United Way of the Plains is committed to focusing on the issues that the community cares about most.

Kansas School for Effective Learning (KANSEL) GED Program provides basic skills training to meet the challenging educational requirements of the workplace. Offering self-paced or instructor-led classes, KANSEL develops individual study plans to prepare individuals to successfully complete their GED.

KANSEL is one of the many United Way-funded programs that meet multiple needs in our community.