GED Stories

Hi, My name is Cleon Dwayne Jones Jr., and I’m from the east side of Detroit, MI where I was born and raised. I grew up in a single parent home after my father left, and watched my mother struggle to make ends meet to take care of me and my younger sister. By the time I was in middle school, my grades dropped due to my parents’ separation but I managed to graduate through summer school. I made it up to the 12th grade but I was suspended in 10th, which led to me being short credits. So I left Detroit Public Schools to attend life skills with my best friend, he committed suicide in front of me and another close friend in 2005 the week we enrolled. I went into depression and couldn’t focus on my studies. Later on I was kicked out because I missed seven days and that’s the max. And I haven’t been back to school since, I felt like a dummie because I didn’t finish school and a failure because I didn’t graduate on time. But now I feel like I’m coming out of my shell and I set Goals and have big dreams of being wealthy spiritual, mental and financial. From nothing to something is what I’m striving for.

I left school the first time in January 2005 after I checked my credits and realized I was too far behind to graduate on time. I enrolled in Life Skills February, a second chance school and later was kicked out for attendance due to being traumatized after seeing my best friend commit suicide.

I want my GED so I can close that chapter of my life. My high school years are the past but I think of them every day saying to myself “only if.” I feel I’m still young and it’s not too late. No more depression for me. (It’s time to take charge of my destiny and finally make my mother and grandmothers proud). After I obtain my GED I’m going to study real estate, I have dreams of owning a carwash, homes, a hair salon for my sister, even a clothing store. My new attitude is the sky is the limit. With just one of those I will be proud of myself and my family would too.

I have some resources and the determination. All I need is my GED to close old wounds to move forward. The number one thing I need is money (a loan) to get started, to invest and do research (study) the fields I’m interested in.

I would be more than happy if this program takes part in helping me reach my dreams lift my spirit. Thanks for the opportunity and please please please help.

Cleon Jones Jr., 20, Detroit

Cleon,

Thanks so much for sharing this story. Everyone has a unique experience, and too often schools don’t take into account all the many things that can happen in life. People need second chances, and third, and fourth… and they need help when they’re in trouble. It’s a shame your schools couldn’t give you what you need to succeed… because you can succeed.

Well, taking the GED is the first step to getting back on track. Since you got to the 12th grade, you probably have a lot of the skills you need already! You might want to take a GED practice test to find out what you need to learn to pass the GED… it might not be as much as you think.

The GED Academy