Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Education at any age

Obtaining ones high school diploma or a GED might not seem like all that great of an accomplishment for some, but for Freddy Young, it is an accomplishment that has changed his life.

After dropping out of school more than four decades ago, Young, a 57-year-old Gurdon resident, graduated with his GED from the Gurdon branch of the Clark County Adult Education Program in the spring of 2006.

Born the eighth child in a family of twelve, Young grew up in a poor but happy home. School came easy for him through most of his childhood, he says, but that all changed in junior high when he became associated with the wrong crowd.

I lived in the country and had to catch the bus every day, he said. When Id get there, Id leave and run the streets all day. My grades started slipping. I was making Fs.

Young dropped out of school and eventually moved to Ohio where he harvested tomatoes for a season.

I just wanted to go see the city, and it was more money at the time than working here.

In 1971, Young said he thought he had found his calling when he joined the United States Army. However, his one year of service during the Vietnam War was not what he had expected it to be. After working as a cook at an Army base in Pennsylvania he received an honorable discharge and returned home.

After years of working at various lumber yards and saw mills in and around Gurdon, Young decided he needed to better himself, but getting a job with no formal education proved challenging. It was then that he enrolled in the Clark County Adult Education Program.

His work in the program was slow but steady. Leaving the program several times, Young always found himself back ready to learn again and work towards his degree.

It took a long time - six or seven years off and on, he said. But I wanted a change.

Even before his graduation, Young says the program changed him.

When I came here I saw myself, he said. I found out I was using the wrong words. I dont want to be like that the rest of my life.

Young hopes to continue to improve himself and continues to attend the adult education program taking computer courses. He hopes to continue learning and is considering enrolling in technical school where he could fulfill his dream of becoming a mechanic.

I could have done better a long time ago if Id had the GED. Ive never been a critic. Ive never gave up on life. You gotta have faith.

Young hopes his story is an inspiration to other adults who may not have a high school diploma or GED - even if they are currently employed.

Thats not the idea that you have a job, he said. Youre trying to improve your life.

With his new degree, Young has a new outlook on life.

I have a smile on my face. I dont go around with my head hung down. It was worth it all, and if I had it all to do again, Id do it. I dont feel sorry for myself anymore.

The Gurdon branch of the Clark County Adult Education Program is open from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday. They offer a variety of programs including the GED program and English as a second language. There are also computer programs and tutoring services available for adults and college students.

There is no charge for any of the programs services.