a brighter future.

The Adult Education School took these students in and offered them the help they needed to achieve a General Education Development Diploma (GED).

Since the US-based high school equivalency exam cannot be offered in Bermuda due to the closure of the US bases, all of the students had to take the test abroad.

After studying for an average of two terms each, they travelled to either New Jersey or Atlanta -- the only two cities that do not require entrants to be legal US residents -- and sat the exam widely regarded as the first step to success.

Although, for most, the thought of going back to school was slightly nerve-racking, the students knew that obtaining a GED would benefit their lives.

"Getting my GED has really opened up new doors for me,'' 26-year-old Tama Lee Robinson told The Royal Gazette . "It is a new beginning and I really appreciate having earned it.'' She added: "Between working and raising three children, it was really hard.

But, I knew it was all worth it because you need a GED to do anything in life.'' Eighteen-year-old Kelly Simmons, a former student of the Northlands Secondary School, said she now has more confidence and is determined to become either a travel or real estate agent.

"I didn't pass my BSSC (Bermuda Secondary School Certificate),'' Kelly explained. "But, now that I have my GED I feel much more confident.'' And Tanya Gordon, who hopes to attend Alabama A&M University in September, reported she now feels that not only can she set goals, but achieve them as well.

"It is important to have a GED,'' the 19-year-old said. "You need a high school diploma to get along.'' Taking advantage of second chance "I was a person who never liked school, but I liked Adult Education much better because I could work at my own pace and make closer friends with the students and the teachers.'' Debra Dill recently achieved her GED after dropping out of school some 15 years ago.

"I mostly did it for my children,'' she explained. "I wanted to be a role model. My daughter was having trouble in school so I thought that if I showed her I could go back and pass, then she would be inspired to do so too. She has now made a total 180 degree turn and is doing much better.'' Debra, who is now a student at the Bermuda College, shared her plans to continue her education.

"As I get more education, I am going to apply for harder courses,'' she said.

"I have been taking classes in keyboarding, Exell I and II and Word, and I hope to go on to more advanced computer courses as well as book-keeping.'' The school is open to anyone wanting to earn a high school diploma, no matter how long it has been since they last stepped foot inside a classroom.

But, Adult Education cannot be described as a "typical'' high school environment because it allows students to be more flexible with their schedules.

"Since we are open at various times, we can adjust study schedules to each individual student,'' administrator Julie Beach explained. "This way they can attend when it is most convenient to their lifestyle.'' School hours are between 9.30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as between 5.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. on those same days.

Adult Education allows students to work at their own pace in the GED required subjects of reading, writing, mathematics, social studies and science with extra tutorials available if necessary.

"I feel anyone can pass the GED if they are motivated to do so,'' Mrs. Beach added. "Anyone can come and talk to us so we can work something out. Don't be put off by past school experiences because Adult Education is much more friendly and much less threatening.'' Mrs. Beach confirmed that most students are ready to take the exam after two terms and "some even pass it in one''.

Twenty-two-year-old nanny Idalia Pimentel decided to strive for her GED after figuring out a diploma would help increase her pay and ability to achieve her dreams.

"I was getting paid less, but working harder,'' she recalled. "Everywhere I went people would ask me if I had a GED and why I didn't. It was embarrassing.

"With help from my present employer I was able to put my first foot forward and now I'm looking toward college or correspondence school.'' Idalia, who dreams of becoming a Montessori teacher in the near future, added that not having a high school diploma can "bring down'' a person's attitude.

"If you drop out of school, you are not thinking about your future,'' she warned. "If you don't have a decent job that you enjoy, then it brings you down financially and emotionally. There's nothing worse.

"I walk past the frame of my GED certificate everyday to remind myself that if I just put my first foot forward, I can go anywhere I want to go in life.'' SECOND CHANCES -- The Adult Education School has helped these young women to turn their lives around by earning a General Education Development Diploma (GED). Pictured, from left, are GED recipients Tanya Gordon, Tama Lee Robinson, Kelly Simmons, and Debra Dill.