Graduation Dream

Tools

By Lindsey Scheetz

Story Published: May 18, 2010 at 3:19 PM MDT

Story Updated: May 18, 2010 at 4:55 PM MDT

BILLINGS - Students across the state are getting ready to don the cap and gown as graduation season is underway. For one student, graduation is a life-long dream that will soon be fulfilled.

It has been nearly 28 years since Dorla Roberts first began her education. "Education was something I always wanted you know. I admire people when I know they have an education or degree in something" said Roberts.

Originally from Belize, Roberts like many people in her country, was only able to attend school through the sixth grade. "My family didn't have the finance to send me to another school because then you had to pay. So I got me some books and I started studying on my own until about 8th grade," Roberts said.

Now the 33-year-old wife and mother of three is 1 day away from graduating and completing her G.E.D. An accomplishment Roberts said she is excited about. "It's so wonderful you know."

For almost 2 years she has attended classes through the Billings Adult Education Program at the Lincoln Center. Roberts said she wanted to complete her education for herself and for her children. "Education is very important and it’s something once you got it, nobody can take it way from you, that's yours."

"Its amazing that she has gone that far. You got to realize that that's been self taught, you know that's the key thing," said Billings Adult Education counselor, Char Hurd. She said Roberts is a hard worker and has done a remarkable job. "Getting at least the G.E.D, the high school diploma the completion of their secondary education, is a big stepping stone."

It’s a milestone Roberts said anyone can achieve. "It’s never too late to start your education, start your goal you know. There’s so much opportunity out there for you and it’s up to you to work hard at it and it pays off in the end." An end that's only the beginning of her future career.

Roberts said she hopes to attend MSU-Billings in the fall and plans to study nursing. More than 300 students will graduate from the adult education program Wednesday.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 1000 Characters Left

KULR-8 News, Sports, Weather and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Your Weather Authority

Icon
Current Temp 84.0 °F
Partly Cloudy
Wind : Variable at
6.9 mph
Humidity : 15 %
Pressure : 29.75 in
More Weather

Party America Sky Cam

More Weather

On Demand

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.