Back row: Jodene Wieczorek, computer coordinator; Rhonda Leneaugh (Sicangu), teacher, and Renee Peterson, program coordinator. In the front, students Noel Brown (Eagle Butte), and Kyle Red Willow all faced their own challenges and have all seen success at the Career Learning Center. PHOTO BY/Christina Rose
GED: Creating opportunities for the needy
By Christina Rose
Native Sun News Associate Editor RAPID CITY — Students studying to take their GED tests agree that it is difficult under the best of circumstances. But of those who come into the Career Learning Center in Rapid City, many have their own set of challenges. From serious health problems to adjusting to life off of the reservation, students of all ages are making a commitment to bettering their lives. Rhonda Leneaugh (Sicangu) moved to Rapid City from Rosebud and has been teaching at the center for three-and-a-half years. “This is the only place to come to work on basic education skills,” she said. When asked what she enjoys about teaching at the center, she said, “I saw so many Natives here it felt like home. I stayed and I love it.” “It was hard when I came here, though,” Leneaugh said. “I lived in Rosebud for 25 years in a little community. It was a shock when we got here because everything costs so much. Moving to Rapid City is good but there should be an emphasis on making sure you have a support system. When I was finally brave enough to leave Rosebud, I had the love and support to come.” Leneaugh said there were a lot of good things about coming to Rapid. “There are so many things to get involved in. We have our own Native community here. But some people are not used to living in a big city, so it can be hard.” Establishing a support group is critical for those who relocate to the city. “It matters who you gravitate to. There are more resources here but be careful and look at what doors you are opening. You can make a difference here but it depends on who you associate with. There are drugs and alcohol here too.” For Leneaugh and others, the Learning Center became a resource for companionship. “The students at the school bond like tiospaye. I share my pride of who I am. It comes down to learning who you are,” she said. For some, the challenges may include physical limitations. At 38-years-old, Kyle Red Willow (Oglala), Rapid City, had a stroke. “One of the effects of the stroke was aphasia, which included memory loss,” he said. Although he had already graduated from college and worked as a police officer, the stroke set him back to square one. Following the stroke, Red Willow could no longer perform simple math equations, and he needed a speech therapist. He had been planning on going back to Western Dakota Technical Institute but he scored low on both math and reading. Not willing to give up, Red Willow took some classes at the Career Learning Center. It took more than two years, but he was finally able to regain many of those skills. In fact, he recently earned a 97 percent on a geometry and algebra test. Red Willow says he may one day attend WDT, but right now he is just focused on his studies at the center. “There are really great people who work here,” Red Willow said. “They are all very kind to me, especially Rhonda and Vicky.” With his continued hard work he just may reach his goals but for now he is taking life one step at a time. “I believe in education,” he said. As many as 1,500 people a year take their GED test through the Learning Center, but there are other reasons to attend. There are many like Noel Brown (Mnicojou) who already has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, but feels he has more to learn to grow in business. “There are still some areas I was unclear on, and the accounting program here is a missing piece of the puzzle. The accounting program is highly valued and the staff is the nicest people on earth,” Brown said, adding that the classrooms are a stress free learning environment. “My wife Jennifer Brown (Dine) went through the secretarial program and is now working at the Rapid City Medical Center. After she finished here she went to Western Dakota Tech and because of the training she had here at the center, she got straight A’s in her computer classes at WDT,” Brown said. Brown’s wife graduated two years ago and has been working at the medical center ever since. “You have to be competitive with job skills and being certified in Word, Excel, Quick Books, and Power Point opens a lot of doors,” he said. Brown believes that these additional skills will help further his career. For those who find it hard to get a good job, having strong computer technology skills can help, and at the center, students of all ages are excited to be building their skills and their future. Program Coordinator Renee Peterson said that the people who attend the center can learn a vast array of skills, from the basics of turning the computer on to advanced techniques. Peterson said that one young girl came in hoping to learn computer programs, but her math skills were not developed. “She didn’t know how to subtract. We were able to teach her that, but even though technology is changing things, you still have to have the foundations of math to be able to progress,” Peterson said. The age range of students runs from high school to retirement. Laura Hawley, Assessment Coordinator, said that many of the students who didn’t finish high school feel like they have to go back and get that high school diploma. But Hawley and Peterson agree, after the age of 19, “It’s time to move on to things that are more adult oriented.” There are many reasons people leave high school, but, “For kids who have missed a big chunk of their education, they can come here and take math and writing classes every day,” Peterson said. The average stay for most students is only eight weeks, but they can stay as long as they want. Funding and scholarships are available for those who qualify. The center offers GED classes in Rapid City but also through Job Corp and Custer Star Academy. Students who want to learn a trade as well as receive their GED attend the Job Corp. Some students, particularly those who want to enter the military, need to get a high school diploma as well as their GED, but a year of college classes can be substituted before applying to the military. Hawley said that 100% of colleges do accept the GED. Veronica Escobedo, 21, (Oglala) from Pine Ridge by way of Minnesota and Rapid City, has spent much of the past three years taking GED classes at the Center. “I didn’t take it seriously in the beginning but after I had my son, I wanted to have a better life. The teachers, Rhonda and Renee, help me a lot,” Escobedo said. “It’s harder than I thought,” she admitted. Having taken classes for reading, writing, math, science, social studies, she now has only two tests left to take before she attains her GED. After she passes those tests, she expects to go to Western Dakota Tech to pursue a career as a paralegal. The center understands that many people face challenges in their studies but tries to ease the way as much as possible. The center is able to arrange bus travel through vouchers, which can ease child care costs, Peterson said. “School is important. There were times I felt like giving up, but then I came here and realized that the GED is really important. I am halfway there. YAY! And I will have a better future,” Escobedo said with a smile. “We talk to students about where they are at, get to know them, look at their goals and obstacles,” Leneaugh said. “We see if they need help with child care or transportation, and we have scholarships for people who are here.” The importance of having the right skills matters, she said, because, “Rapid City has lots of jobs but it is not always easy to get these jobs.” In 2014, the GED will be updated and is expected to be more challenging. Teachers at the center agree if a student has been working towards getting their GED, they should take the test as soon as possible. Contact the Career Learning Center at Career Learning Center of the Black Hills, 730 East Watertown Street, Rapid City. Call 605.394.5120. (Contact Christina Rose at Christinarose.sd@gmail.com) Copyright permission by Native Sun News
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