2013 Champion - Sandy Lasaga

It’s never too late to educate

Sandy Lasaga, can attest that it’s never too later to go back to school.

Sandy recently completed her Grade 12 education through Grand Erie Learning Alternatives (GELA) after being out of school for 22 years. With that success under her belt, she now has plans for more education.

Sandy, of Brantford, left school as a teenager. She said she “didn’t want to follow the rules.” She lived on her own and had children when she was very young.

Years later, Sandy was talking to her teenage children, and herson told her he didn’t have to listen to her because she didn’t finish high school. It inspired her to go back, and graduate before he did, she jokes. She had previously completed a General Educational Development test, but knew that was not accepted by a lot of organizations, so she decided to finish her Grade 12.

With the support of the Steps to Success program, offered by Ontario Works Brant, she completed her Grade 12, and a Health Care Preparatory program. She’s now enrolled in the Personal Support Worker program at GELA.
While going to school, Sandy was also raising two teenage children, and a younger child, meaning she had to make sure she made time for her family and her studies.

On education, she recommends that people “do it when you’re young, before you have a family. You can go back later, but your mind is on your family. Don’t drop out. It’s worth it to stay in.”

She plans to continue her education, maybe attending university for nursing.

Story by Rob Rombouts

Photo by Blackbird Photography