Maria Melendez finished her high school requirements at Abram Friedman Occupational Center, about 25 years after she was supposed to graduate. On graduation day, Mr. De Loera presented her with a scholarship, a reward for her hard work and perseverance.
Her daughter didn’t want to go to college, and once told her, “You are hard on us, and you didn’t finish.” That conversation inspired Maria to go back. She walked into Abram Friedman to get her diploma and show her daughter and son that she could finish. Her transcripts showed she needed just one class. She started in October and finished in December.
“I know I took long, but I did it.”
Her daughter now wants to go to college. Maria has started our Child Development program, inspired by her son with autism, with a goal of becoming a teacher.
She did it for her three children and for her mom, who has passed away.
It’s never too late to take the first step.