Success through Middle College helps local student
With a determined focus and battle cry of “never give up,” Latoya Nance Stith is accomplishing her goals despite some of life’s barriers.
 With help from the Middle College Program located at the Occupational/Technical Center of Southside Virginia Community College at Pickett Park, Stith, who lives in Crewe, has successfully obtained her GED and is enrolled in the Associate Degree (RN) Nursing Program at the college.
“In high school, I had two more classes to complete for graduation and was pregnant with my oldest daughter,” she said. Then, she faced more hardships in trying to obtain her GED by having a high risk pregnancy, financial problems and child care issues.
Once she learned of the Middle College Program, Stith was on her way to success.
“It took me just one month to get my GED. I was never afraid to go back to school; instead, I was very determined. I knew I needed my diploma so I came to class every day and worked very hard to finish in a month,” she said.
After leaving school, Stith began working for the Virginia Housing Department Authority in Richmond and also holds a second job as a certified nursing assistant. The step towards her high school credential was a move in the right direction as she earned her CNA and is now on her way to becoming a Registered Nurse.
When asked about her Middle College experience, she said, “I loved it!! Middle College helped me further my education, achieve my goals and broaden my horizons. Everyone was very supportive, welcoming and helpful.”
With two daughters and a son looking to her for guidance, Stith is happy that they have a mom to be proud of and hopes they will set their goals even higher.
“When they get older, I will tell them that if I could do it with everything up against me, they can do it,” she said.
Stith noted that her GED teacher inspired her and kept her fixated on the prize. She said if not for her, she would not be achieving her goals today.
“We just worked so well together, she really helped me obtain my GED and start my nursing classes,” she said.
In offering advice for anyone thinking of dropping out of school, she said, “Don’t give up. You have to keep going. When you drop out of school, you are just delaying yourself from getting a degree that you will need later. The economy is so bad these days that you have to finish school.”
As for working towards your GED if you need it, she said, “Don’t be afraid to go back to school. Set your goals high, stick to them and never give up.”
Like many who have experienced SVCC’s Middle College, Stith has and continues to write her own success story for her life. For more information about Middle College, contact Gloria Westerman (434-949-1029) or Buffy Allgood (434-949-1090).
(c) 2011. Southside Virginia Community College. All rights reserved.
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