Maria Banda said she returned to school with a clear goal: Earn her high school diploma and build a better future for her family. Now, as she prepares to graduate from The PossAble Dream Adult High School and begin the phlebotomy career pathway, her journey has inspired someone close to her to follow the same path: Her husband.
A mother of four, Maria said coming back to school was about creating opportunities and showing her children what persistence looks like.
“We are doing this for our kids,” she said. “You need a diploma to get a good-paying career. We want to show them that it is good to graduate”
At first, her husband, Isaiah Solis, considered returning to school but hesitated. Watching Maria pass her tests and quickly move closer to graduation and an industry certificate changed his mind.
“When he saw I passed my test and was close to graduating, he told me, ‘I want to do that, too,’” Maria said.
Today, the couple attends school together, encouraging each other through the process. For Maria, the experience has added a meaningful layer to their relationship.
“I met him in tenth grade, but I never went to school with him,” she said. “This is the first time we are actually in school together. I feel like it’s great because I can motivate him. I always tell him, ‘You’re almost there. Keep going.’”
Maria said she credits the teachers and Student Success Coaches at The PossAble Dream for helping them stay focused and confident throughout their journey.
“My favorite thing about the school is that the teachers and Student Success Coaches motivate us to finish and not give up,” she said.
As Maria approaches graduation and prepares for career training, she hopes her story encourages others who may feel it is too late to return.
“What you didn’t do when you were young, you can still do,” she said. “And you can do it better. It’s important for others to see that you can do it.”
Enrollment at The PossAble Dream Adult High School is open for adults 18-50 ready to complete their high school diploma while working toward industry-based certifications. Interested individuals can learn more and begin the enrollment process at www.thepossabledream.net.
