At 23 years old, Michelle Lopez proudly celebrated a milestone she once believed was out of reach: earning her high school diploma. The oldest of six siblings, Lopez was originally set to graduate in 2020. But like many students whose education and personal lives were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, her path took a different route.
As the months passed, she faced several growing challenges that gradually affected her schoolwork. Eventually, she made the difficult decision to withdraw and enroll in a local GED program. However, that opportunity got cut short when the program closed due to the pandemic.
In the years that followed, Michelle worked a series of jobs, disconnected from her goals and distanced from her family. “Being out of school truly affected the ambition I had,” she said. “I was just living day to day without thinking about my future.” At 23 years old, Michelle Lopez proudly celebrated a milestone she once believed was out of reach: earning her high school diploma. The oldest of six siblings, Lopez was originally set to graduate in 2020. But like many students whose education and personal lives were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, her path took a different route.
As the months passed, she faced several growing challenges that gradually affected her schoolwork. Eventually, she made the difficult decision to withdraw and enroll in a local GED program. However, that opportunity got cut short when the program closed due to the pandemic.
Pictured: Student Madison Armendariz (L), teacher Jesus Navarrete (C), and student Michelle Lopez (R)
In the years that followed, Michelle worked a series of jobs, disconnected from her goals and distanced from her family. “Being out of school truly affected the ambition I had,” she said. “I was just living day to day without thinking about my future.” Michelle’s turning point came when she began to envision a bigger future for herself. “I realized I needed and wanted to take back control of my future,” she shared. “That’s when I found the motivation to finish school. I knew I had the potential to become a leader, and I wanted to set that example for my siblings.”
Determined to finish what she had started, she enrolled at TexasWorks – El Paso (Mesa), a tuition-free high school diploma and career certification program for adults ages 18 to 50. Designed to meet the needs of adult learners, TexasWorks offers a flexible, mastery-based curriculum that allows individuals to learn at their own pace while also building workforce skills and earning industry-recognized certifications.
“Everyone on campus made me feel welcome from the start,” Michelle said. “Transitioning back into the classroom was tough at first, but they reminded me that the hardest part, deciding to come back, was already behind me. I knew this was something I had to do for myself and my family.”
“Michelle came in with quiet determination and a willingness to grow,” said Jesus Navarrete, a teacher at the El Paso (Mesa) campus. “She didn’t let setbacks define her. She stayed focused and pushed through challenges. Students like Michelle are the reason we, as educators, do what we do; because when you believe in them, they begin to believe in themselves.”
Michelle proudly graduated from TexasWorks – El Paso (Mesa) this past May, a moment she once thought would never come. “I never thought I’d see myself in a cap and gown,” she told us. “Earning my diploma isn’t just the start of a new chapter; it’s proof that I’m capable of more than I ever imagined. With the support of the staff at TexasWorks, I’ve realized I do have control over my life, and it is never too late to start over and take charge of my future.”
Find a TexasWorks campus near you to learn about the unique educational opportunities these campuses offer adults ages 18-50. For more information or to apply at TexasWorks – El Paso (Mesa), visit texasworks.com/elpaso-mesa.
