Young mother succeeds the hard way

Sara Pooler, 18, opted to attend school four nights a week to obtain a regular high school diploma.

By MICHELE MILLER

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 23, 2000

It's been a rough go for Sara Pooler, but the 18-year-old mother has a philosophy that "if you want something bad enough, you'll do it."

Last Thursday, Sara received her high school diploma during an adult education graduation ceremony held at Marchman Technical Education Center in New Port Richey.

Sara, who lives in New Port Richey, was one of 202 students to graduate from either the full credit or General Educational Development program at Marchman. She was just 16-years-old and four months pregnant when she left River Ridge High School during her junior year.

She checked out the Cyesis Program at Marchman, an education program for young mothers and their children, but that didn't suit her.

"I left after two days. I didn't feel challenged enough -- it wasn't hard enough," she said.

Sara nixed going for her GED also, instead opting to attend night school four times a week to obtain a regular high school diploma.

"They asked me if I wanted to start out with two (nights), but I wanted four because I just wanted to get this done. They were amazed. When one class was finished, I started up with another one that same night," she said. "I just stuck with it."

Going the straight credit route can be pretty tough -- especially for someone trying to raise a child and work part time. But Sara has other dreams now. The next stop is college, where she plans on working her way to becoming a pediatrician.

"I think Sara's had a couple of hard years, here -- being a young mother and all," said her mother, Mary Pooler, "But I'm very proud of her -- she has her aspirations and I know she'll do it."

Sara's perseverance should inspire others out there who could be just a few credits from receiving their high school diploma or perhaps one or two points away from receiving their GED, said Sue Griggs, the adult education guidance counselor at Marchman.

"I'd tell anyone who was just a few credits short not to waste your time -- go to night school and just get your regular diploma because you'll feel better about it," she said.

But going the full-credit route isn't for everyone.

About 1,350 people in Pasco County have tested for their GED since 1942 and haven't passed all parts of the test -- writing, social studies, science, literature, or mathematics, said Griggs. Some of those people could have passed three of four portions of the five-part test. Going back to complete the part they had failed might be easier and less time-consuming than they think, Griggs said.

"If they took the test two months ago and are two points away from passing math, then they just have to take the math," she said.

But those who have been procrastinating should get their act together because a new GED test will be implemented in January 2002 and old passing scores for portions of the test will no longer be valid.

An effort is out to reach those people who might want to complete their GED testing before time runs short, said Griggs.

"Even if they've tested out of county or out of state we can get those scores for them," she said. "It's time to take care of business now."

Note: GED testing is held monthly. Those wanting information about testing times and fees or wanting to enroll in an Adult Education GED or credit program should contact: West side: Sue Griggs at Marchman Technical Education Center, (727) 774-1735; or East side: Dawn Dooley at Moore Mickens Education Center: (352) 929-5404.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.