ARA graduate rises above dark clouds

A math test tripped up Maria Shaw on her way to high school graduation. She completed her senior year at Woodlawn High School, but didn’t receive her diploma because she didn’t pass the required math exam.

“It was devastating. It made me feel discouraged. It made me feel like I couldn’t accomplish anything. It made me want to give up,” she said.

“I got my confidence back and realized I can do whatever I want to in life,” – Maria Shaw, ARA graduate

Maria tried again for a brief time to earn her diploma, but by age 22 she was getting married and starting a family. Life would go on without any further education. “I just didn’t think it would ever happen,” she said.

It was starting a family, though, that convinced her to try again.

“I had a baby girl in 2016 and that made me realize I had to get my high school diploma to get out of the struggle and be what I could be. I knew I had to do it for my baby,” she said.

Maria checked out her options and was recommended to Community Renewal’s Adult Renewal Academy.

“I went to the ARA and I could feel a spiritual connection there and I could feel everyone was very concerned. They would stay after class to make sure I understood and that I was confident about the test. And in three months I got my confidence back and realized I can do whatever I want to in life,” she said.

“I was stressed out because I didn’t have child care. But God put the right people in position to help me, even after I lost my job and my husband lost his job. It went beyond a student-teacher relationship.”

Maria passed her test on Aug. 23, 2018, a day that she will never forget.

“I prayed first and I felt good about it. And when I found out the next day that I passed with a 12, when I had only gotten a 4 before, I started screaming and crying and then my baby started screaming! From that day on I have been accelerating up and up. The next day was my birthday and it was the best birthday ever,” she said.

She quickly enrolled in the nursing program at Southern University – Shreveport with plans to become a registered nurse. She’s tackling classes like chemistry and physiology, earning two A’s and a B on her midterm exams. Maria gives much of the credit for her success to the Adult Renewal Academy.

“Community Renewal can help people in a dark place find their way. That’s the best gift you can give anyone. You know they care,” she said.

It’s only up from here. The cloud is no longer over my head. I can go wherever I want to in life.”