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What's New
Adult Graduate Enjoying the Ride
By Daniela Altimari, Courant Staff Writer May 23, 2006 Jeannie Nguyen, 37, a Middletown Adult Education student, tries on her gown Monday after a rehearsal for the school's graduation ceremony, which is set for Wednesday. Born in Vietnam, Nguyen came to Boston in 1990. She enrolled in school, but eventually dropped out. Now she is in the top 10 percent of her graduating class. It was only a dress rehearsal, but Jeannie Nguyen was excited. She has been looking forward to her high school graduation for years and wanted to savor every part of the process. Even mundane obligations, such as showing up at the Middletown High School auditorium a week before the ceremony to collect her graduation garb, held magic. “Finally, Mommy can wear a cap and gown,” Nguyen, 37, told her two children. Nguyen, one of 136 students in Middletown's Adult Education Program slated to receive diplomas Wednesday, has worked relentlessly to reach her goal. Born in Vietnam, she came to Boston in 1990 and soon enrolled in school. But for some reason -- "the teachers, the classes, I don't know" -- Nguyen dropped out. A few years later she got married, moved to Middletown, had children and eventually tried school again. This time she continued on, it fits and starts, between raising her children and countless other obligations. Her 9-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter were her motivation. “I had to help my son with his homework,” she said. When he has an assignment now, she is able to guide him and sometimes, learn with him. “I tell them, ‘Mommy has to learn, too,’ “she said. Still, Nguyen said last week, “I never thought I’d finish.” Her teachers had more faith. “Jeannie is the kind of student every teacher loves to have in the classroom,” science teacher Linda Schroeder said in an e-mail. Nguyen, a naturalized U.S. citizen, is in the top 10 percent of the graduating class. Despite English not being her native language, “she uses better English grammar in her writing than the majority of her teenage, American-born fellow students,” English teacher James Tallmadge said in an e-mail. Nguyen credits her teachers for helping her succeed. “If I can do it, anyone can,” she said. She recently found a job at a local manufacturing firm and plans to attend college someday. “Not now,” she said, “but in the future.” Before the rehearsal began, lead teacher Barbara Novak instructed ach of the soon-to-be-graduates sitting in the bleachers to turn to the person next to then and say, “We did it.” “Doesn’t that feel good?” Novak asked. Nguyen didn’t say a word, but smiled broadly.
5/23/2006
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