As a mom, Donna Helser knows that young children imitate their parents.So when Helser finally passed the GED, her deepest satisfaction cameless from earning that piece of paper than from knowing that herchildren will benefit from her example some day.

Helser was 30 when she received her GED after several years ofpreparation and two unsuccessful attempts at the GED test. Helserpersevered and finally passed the test in December 2003. Because shealso passed tests in health and civics, Helser received a specialWisconsin certificate called a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED).

If another adult is looking for guidance about returning to highschool, here is what Helser would advise: "You're going to getfrustrated, but do it anyway, because you'll find the outcome is somuch more fulfilling than if you said it's too much work. If you stickwith it, you can accomplish anything."

To read more of Donna’s storyand to hear her discuss what her achievement means, go to: http://www.proliteracy.org/students/profiles_d-helser.asp [1]