“I’ve never been this proud,” describes 22 year-old Miranda Hargas on graduating high school January 30 through the Drumheller Outreach School.
“I graduated finally after two attempts and two children.”
“She arrived with determination and enthusiasm to obtain what she needed to keep moving forward,” says Sofia Mancini, Outreach Worker at the school.
“Thanks first to Irene (Kirkpatrick of Alberta Works)- if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have been able to do this; thanks to Mrs. Mancini who’s been like a mother; thanks to Ms. Paulger (Lead Teacher) for putting up with all my anxieties and over-analysis of my studies,” says Hargas at her graduation ceremony at the school.
She says she had to leave her high school early because of pregnancy, and it didn’t work when she pressured herself to try and complete it, but this time was different.
“It was more ‘wake-up in the morning and I’m going to school. I know I need to do it and I’m doing it this time,” she says.
“My husband (Tony) is very supportive of me, so that helps a ton. And I lived by the mentality that my kids came first, schooling came second.”
Hargas says it was tough on the kids at first.
“We had a lot of problems with my son(Aydyn, 4), especially - I’ve been a stay at home mom since he was born. My daughter (Riley, 1) - she did a lot better than I thought.”
Hargas says she had more good support to help her with that, though.
“I’m thankful that I had a very good care provider - she’s namazing.”
Hargas says she plans to work for a year, then plans to attend college for training as a Medical Office Receptionist.
To others struggling with their schooling, Hargas says “Keep going, most definitely. Believe in yourself and do what you need to do.”
