Page resident Brenda Diaz dropped out of school in 11th grade more than 10 years ago. Now that her three children are all in school and she has “no more babies around,” she has plans for the future.
The first step is to finish her high school education.
Diaz is taking Adult Education classes at the Coconino Community College campus in Page, and she has passed several of the sections required to receive a certificate of high school education, or GED.
CCC is beginning a new semester of Adult Education classes starting on July 11, and, as part of a pilot program this year, all Adult Education classes are free for people who need them.
“I tell students when they come in this can really affect your future and you can do this,” said Nancy Crosby, CCC’s adult education instructor in Page. “I’m willing to go the extra mile for what they need to help them.”
Crosby helps the students study for the five different tests of the GED: Science, Social Studies, Math, Reading/Language Arts and Civics.
“Most of the time, my focus is with language arts, math and civics,” she said, adding that once the students can read well, the rest of the subjects start to fall into place.
Crosby said that she tries to encourage the students to give them 40 hours of their time during the course of the semester — the equivalent of one work week.
“They will definitely see an improvement in their scores,” Crosby said.

Diaz began her journey to a GED to help her children in more ways than one.
“I went back for my kids, and that way, I can be a good role model for them,” Diaz said. “And I can help them out with homework.”
When Diaz made the commitment to go back to school, her children were excited for her. Although she was nervous, she was also excited herself.
The classes have been very helpful.
“When I had my last child, she’s 7 now, I bought a book, and I read it over and over and over, and I just couldn’t understand it,” she said.
She gave up, but when Diaz started going to CCC, Crosby was there to explain the material to her, which made the information accessible. Diaz said the most trouble she had was with the math.
“But she (Crosby) was always there, and she took me step by step,” Diaz said.
Diaz said she didn’t think she could pass social studies and science, but they were the first sections of the GED she passed.
“So, I know the classes helped a lot,” Diaz added. “So far, I’ve had three of my tests.”
Diaz also said that she is planning on completing the testing to receive her GED by the end of the fall semester.
After that, she plans to apply to a two-year dental hygiene program.
Crosby said that students who graduate with a GED from the CCC program are offered a free CCC class. The students are also offered instruction on how to write resumes and how to apply for financial aid to attend college.
“We not only help them in getting a high school diploma, but we also help them move forward in some sort of career pathway,” Crosby said.
Although the classes have begun, students can still enroll. Adult Education classes at CCC Page are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 6 p.m., with additional hours to be determined. Crosby also said that she is willing to work with students who have special schedules because of work and family commitments.
“Whenever I’m there and we’re open, I can help,” Crosby said.
For more information, visit CCC Page, 475 S. Lake Powell Blvd., or call (928) 645-6697.

Larry Hendricks is the public relations coordinator for Coconino Community College.