A Laichwiltach Student’s Story
Hi my name is Elizabeth King and I am attending Laichwiltach Family Life Society. Anita Smith has contributed a lot to my success in my self improvement. I think that without Anita's encouragement I would not be where I am today. Anita has gotten me back into school and I am upgrading. I am also attending a Tutoring Course and going to NIEFS for help getting employment, all at the same time. I have now got the courage to do things to improve my life and I owe a lot of it to the support of my teacher and my son.
Why did I quit school back then? I quit school because I was asked to quit because of my being pregnant which caused me to be sick a lot. I couldn't attend regularly and that is why I had missed so many days. That was way back in Sept 1986.
What made me come back to school? I came back to school to better myself and to finish my Grade 12 and I had made a deal with my son that I would finish my Grade 12 if he finished his. He is in Grade 11 now and he will be finished next year, so now I have to live up to my end of the deal. I think that I should better myself and improve myself so that I will have a better future and more options in my life.
What surprised me when I came back to school? The thing that surprised me most is the computers in the class rooms and all the new kinds of courses that are offered. I like the self-esteem classes, as well as the choices in employment, upgrading.
What have I learned about myself since I came back? I have learned that I can do almost anything I want in my life as long as I network with other people and ask for help. There are a lot of resources out there and all one has to do is ask and not be ashamed or shy.
What was hard about coming back? It was hard to come back because I thought that I was too old and I felt embarrassed, I thought that I would be the only old woman there in class.
How has your life changed since you came back? good or bad? My life has changed for the better and I have learned that I can do almost anything I want as long as I put my mind to it and think positive thoughts only.
Do you have any advice for people thinking about taking this path? I would suggest that they should go back because there is nothing to lose. You just better your life and learn more. There is nothing wrong with learning new stuff. It is a lot of fun and exciting.
What do they need to do to be successful? They just need a little of encouragement and a little push in the right direction. All one person requires is an open mind, a positive attitude and the will to learn.
-Elizabeth King