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[narrator]

Narrator: Angelica Padilla came from Mexico with no English skills. Through adult education, she found a better way of life for herself and her family. She now attends college with her daughter and teaches in the program she attended.

Angelica Padilla: My name is Angelica Padilla. [angelica padilla, bilingual instructor, evenstart] I was born in Mexico. I came to the United States running through the border of Tijuana in San Ysidro, running actually. My husband was working in the fields. And we were just barely making enough to pay our apartment and just to go by with what we were earning.

My oldest daughter started attending preschool. They were calling the mothers of those kids in the preschool who they knew the parents could use some of the English classes. So they contacted me and [inaudible] oh, yeah, yeah, I'll go, yeah. It's free. They don't charge anything. They will take care of my daughter and my son. So yeah, I'll come. So that's when I found out about this school.

Vivian Simons: She was so excited. [vivian simons, program director, evenstart] She found out that if she came to Clovis Adult School-- up until that time, though, she had been watching children's TV and trying to learn words, the news, anything she could. But having three children, she couldn't go to school. Well, she heard about the Even Start Program, and I don't think she even realized what it was. She just thought it was a place to leave her children. But she said Even Start really did change her life.

Melanie Franz: I think the reason that Angelica stood out to me was because she was a very determined person. [melanie franz, instructor, clovis adult education] She seemed to know what she wanted. She seemed to have no sense that she wasn't going to achieve it. She seemed very motivated and very serious about her work. I'm not sure what it was, but we had an instant admiration for each other. And so I just really enjoyed having her in there because of that connection we seemed to have. As a teacher, you always respond to people who want to learn. And so that was one of the reasons, I'm sure, that we connected.

Susan Gross: Well, Angelica is what makes teaching fun. [susan gross, instructor, clovis adult education] It's those people that come, who want to learn, who succeed. And we are so proud of her. I mean, she has just been amazing.

Angelica Padilla: My teachers, oh, I love them all. I admire them so much. Melanie is one of my best friends. I just look up to her so much. She's my role model. She gave me so much comforting. With her friendship and the way she treated me, it was like I can do this, I can continue, this is possible, it's doable. And so I just consider myself lucky of having to happen to be in her class.

While I was attending Even Start, I obtained my GED. Then after that, I took citizenship classes to become a citizen of this country. I took computer classes here. But I went from ESL, to GED, to citizenship, to office procedures, and now it's college. I'm going to Reedley College. One more semester, I will finish with my AA. And then I will be able to transfer to the University of Fresno State.

Vivian Simons: In fact, when she graduated, she was first in her class getting her GED. Our superintendent at the time said, you could have a job any place, any time that you have the education for. We want a person like you.

Angelica Padilla: Right now, I work for the Evan Start Program here at the Clovis Adult School. My title is bilingual instructor, but I do a lot more than just translating. I look back at the first year when I came, and I had no goals. Once I arrived here, and like I said, with the confidence that I had received from the classes and the friendship, the way they treated me, that gave me a lot of confidence. And then, I became less intimidated and set goals. And because of the parenting class, I learned how important it is to be a role model and how educated parents can help their children to become successful students. And so I did it for that, too, because I wanted my kids to do well and have a good future.

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