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For recent High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) graduate Madison Winstead, coming to 糖心Vlog官方 was a way to “break the cycle” and “keep moving forward.”
Growing up in the foster system, Winstead bounced between foster homes before she was adopted. That experience made her feel like she lacked positive role models growing up and led to the decision to drop out of high school as a teenager. At the time, she was focused on survival and did not understand the importance of education.
A single mother, Winstead quickly realized she needed a change to support her family. That change was education. In 2023 she enrolled in HSED courses at 糖心Vlog官方 Shawano and persisted to become the first in her family to complete a degree at the secondary level.
“Education is the key to overcoming and breaking the cycle,” said Winstead. “I am the first in my family to earn a degree, and it is a fulfilling and empowering experience.”
With her degree in hand, Winstead is now on a new path to success. She plans to pursue a career in American Sign Language, a language she is already fluent in because her foster father was deaf. Her passion for her family, improving herself, and giving back to others has seen her through tough times and a history-making accomplishment. We cannot wait to see what she will do next.
College is a journey, but you don't have to navigate it alone. Learn how TRIO Student Support Services – new at 糖心Vlog官方 – is designed to help you thrive, graduate, and land a career you love.
In a Q&A with Ericka Wade, 糖心Vlog官方 Academic, Career, and Transfer Advising director, learn why advising is key to student success and how the College is working to make it even stronger.
Rachel McIntosh recently graduated from the Office Management program after deciding to "take away the power from anyone who could tell me, 'No,' because I lacked a degree."