Tuesday, July 28, 2009

PRCC helps Bassfield woman on road to college

 

     HATTIESBURG - Like a couple hundred other new students, Kizzie Thompson went through orientation Wednesday at Pearl River Community College’s Forrest County Center.
      Unlike most of the new students who are fresh out of high school, Thompson is a two-time drop-out who recently earned her General Educational Development diploma through PRCC.
      Now, at age 31, she’s taking intermediate English and beginning algebra at night while holding down a full-time job during the day.
      "It’s been so long since I’ve been in school, I need to start almost at the bottom and work my way up," she said.
      Thompson, who lives in Bassfield, works at International Filing Co. in Hattiesburg to support herself and her three children, ages 14, 12 and 6.
      Pregnancy forced her to drop out of high school in the 10th grade. After having the baby, she returned to school but got pregnant again and dropped out a second time.
      "I only had five more months to go, but I quit when I was in the 12th grade," Thompson said.
      She’s been working ever since but never abandoned the idea of getting more education. In April, Thompson enrolled in PRCC’s GED program.
      "It was something I’ve been wanting to do," she said. "When the economy got like it is and my job wasn’t secure, I needed a change."
      The PRCC adult education program is open to anyone 17 years old and older and is free. The only cost is $40 for the GED test.
      Thanks to the generosity of the Prentiss Rotary Club, Thompson was able to take the test without charge. The club has donated $800 to help Jefferson Davis County students with GED costs.
      "It wasn’t hard," Thompson said. "I had a GED book I studied every day. I didn’t even sit through the class. I took my test and passed."
      A new session of GED classes will start Aug. 10 at the Senior Citizen Center in Prentiss. Classes are held in each county of PRCC’s six-county district, said Dr. Janet Thornton, GED success counselor.
      Thornton expects Thompson to succeed as a college student.
      "She is persistent," Thornton said. "She has a desire. She wants to be a role model for her children. She wants to make life better for her family."
      Thompson hopes to enroll one day in PRCC’s dental assisting or dental hygiene programs. But both of those meet during the day and, for now, Thompson doesn’t want to work at night when her children are at home.
      "That’s my goal, what I want to do," she said. "I just pray the Lord will work it out for me."
      Thompson easily shows her appreciation of help from others and has approached her new studies with common sense, Thornton said.
      "I don’t think she’s going to bite off big chunks of responsibility she can’t handle," Thornton said. "She’s very comfortable in knowing herself."
      For now, Thompson will be content with two night classes and the admiration of her children.
      "They’re proud of me, and I’m proud of myself," she said.
      For more information on the PRCC adult education program, telephone 601 554-5551.