MANCHESTER – Bobbie-Jo Lapointe was entering training for a new job when she got the surprise of a lifetime: she hadn’t actually completed her high school diploma.
When she was made aware she hadn’t completed her coursework, she’d been out of high school for 30 years. From that point, though, it took her just over 30 days to complete her requirements. That circuitous journey led Lapointe to the Aldermanic Chambers at City Hall on Tuesday, where she at long last earned her high school diploma from the Manchester Adult High School – the only statewide online adult diploma program.
“I had no clue,” Lapointe said of completing her diploma. “I had no clue, and I’ve had several jobs that I put down that I had the diploma, but it never came back to me.”
Lapointe was able to complete her diploma through the Manchester Adult High School, a competency-based learning program that offers support and personalization to meet students’ needs. Since students complete the requirements at their own pace, graduations are held as soon as they are ready – often one at a time. Lapointe can now move forward with her diploma and some words of wisdom.
“It’s never too late,” she said. “I’m proving to my kids and grandchildren that it’s never too late. Never give up.”