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Adult Education Student of the Year earns GED, phlebotomy certificate
Maritza Carmona, 47, a mother of four and grandmother of 14, dropped out of school in 1993 in the ninth grade to raise her first son. Though she always intended to finish her education, she realized later that earning her GED was essential to move forward. It wasn’t until her youngest child turned 21 last year that Carmona decided to focus on her own goals.
She enrolled in GED classes at the College of Southern Idaho (CSI) while simultaneously working as a DoorDash driver. Balancing work and study, Carmona turned her car into a mobile classroom.
“I did my homework between deliveries, with books on my lap, working on math or reading while waiting for the next order,” said Carmona. “I worked long hours, sometimes from 7 a.m. until 10 or 11 p.m., but it was worth it to stay in class.”
Throughout this process, Carmona’s teachers and fellow students provided critical support.
“I had two great teachers who encouraged me to keep going,” she said. “They helped me believe in myself, even when I doubted my ability.”
Carmona’s path wasn’t without challenges. She encountered difficulties with some of her classes, particularly math.
“I struggled with the way my teacher explained things. I just couldn’t grasp her method,” said Carmona.
But she wasn’t the only one. Other students had the same issue, so they started helping each other out. Together with her classmates, Carmona advocated for a slower pace and clearer explanations.
“I spoke up for the group, and we were able to ask the teacher to slow down and go over things more thoroughly,” said Carmona. “It helped everyone.”
Getting your GED is not just a piece of paper. It’s a key to everything. It opens doors for me and for anyone who is willing to put in the effort, and no one can take that key away from you.
Maritza Carmona, 2024 Adult Education Student of the Year
Despite feeling overwhelmed at times, Carmona kept pushing forward, motivated by the support of her family.
“My kids kept reminding me that my mom, who had passed away in 2021, was watching over me,” said Carmona. “They told me she would be proud of me.”
After earning her GED, Carmona used funding from Idaho LAUNCH to pursue a phlebotomy certification, which opened more career opportunities. She now works as a Certified Nursing Assistant and phlebotomist at Family Health Services in Jerome, Idaho. Looking ahead, Carmona plans to advance further in the medical field, with aspirations to become a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Licensed Practical Nurse. She credits her GED as the key that unlocked these opportunities. For her tenacity, perseverance, and advocacy for herself and other students, Carmona was named Idaho’s 2024 Adult Education Student of the Year.
“On the day I found out, I was feeling down, doubting myself, wondering if I could keep up with everything,” said Carmona. “When I got the message that I was Student of the Year, it brought me to tears. I realized—wow, people are noticing me, even when I didn’t think anyone was paying attention.”
In recognition of her achievement, Carmona was invited to attend Governor Little’s Adult Education and Family Literacy Week proclamation signing on Sept. 20, 2024, in Boise.
Carmona’s advice to others considering returning to school is simple: Don’t let age or self-doubt hold you back.
“Age shouldn’t be an excuse to not better yourself,” said Carmona. “Getting your GED is not just a piece of paper. It’s a key to everything. It opens doors for me and for anyone who is willing to put in the effort, and no one can take that key away from you.”
Senior discovers passion and purpose through CTSOs
When current Joint Student Leadership (JSL) President Cree Milliron was a freshman at Burley High School, becoming a leader wasn’t on his radar. He’d never heard of career technical student organizations (CTSOs) in general or Business Professionals of America (BPA) in particular. He knew he loved graphic design, though, so when his web design teacher, Janet Cole, who also served as his school’s BPA advisor, encouraged him to join to show off the skills he’d acquired in her class, he jumped in with both feet and ran for chapter officer.
Though he didn’t get the position, he stuck with BPA and discovered he loved the competitions and meeting other students with the same interests as him from across the state.
“Competitions gave me the opportunity and confidence to bring my ideas to life,” said Milliron. “It was also overwhelming to see how many other students had the same interests and values as me.”
“Being involved with BPA has done so much for me. I wanted to inspire new members to see the value in joining, too.”
CREE MILLIRON
His first year was such a positive experience that Milliron ran for chapter officer again during his sophomore year and was elected chapter president. Though planning and running meetings were valuable foundations for his burgeoning leadership skills, Milliron discovered his real purpose was working with other members and sharing his passion and experience with them.
“Being involved with BPA has done so much for me,” said Milliron. “I wanted to inspire new members to see the value in joining, too.”
After two years, Milliron decided to take on more responsibility and became a State Officer. In this elevated role, he had more opportunities to interact with BPA members from across the state and get more involved with staff at the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education. Plus, he had the opportunity to meet State Officers from other CTSOs.
“When I first joined BPA, I had no idea what it was, much less that there were other CTSOs for other career pathways,” said Milliron. “Serving as a State Officer let me see that we have so much in common. We were all passionate about advocating for our organization and giving other students somewhere to belong, no matter what they’re interested in.”
Now a senior, Milliron has continued to grow and develop as a leader and competed in two BPA National Leadership Conferences. In 2021, Milliron placed third in Promotional Photography, and his team placed seventh in Web Design. He also earned third place in Graphic Design Promotion at the 2022 State Leadership Conference.
His increasing responsibility and experiences in state and national competitions improved his leadership and communication skills and his self-confidence.
“I’ve watched myself come to life over the last four years. People always told me I was a good leader, but now I’ve had some experiences to prove that was true,” said Milliron.
Milliron is still deciding what to do after graduating, but he knows that whatever path he chooses, his experiences with CTSOs in high school will give him the skills and confidence to succeed.
“When I first joined, it was daunting to run for office or sign up for a competition. I had so many self-doubts,” said Milliron. “I remember thinking, ‘You can’t run for office; you don’t have any experience,’ or ‘You can’t win this competition; you just joined.’ But CTSOs aren’t designed for people who already know what they’re doing. They’re for people trying to figure out what they’re good at and passionate about.”
Hard work, determination, translate into career in phlebotomy
Maria Lopez always knew she wanted to be a nurse. In Mexico City, where she lived before coming to the United States, she even began taking classes. While Lopez didn’t complete her studies, she never abandoned her dream. So when Lopez saw a flyer at the Mexican store advertising the Integrated Certified Nursing Assistant (I-CNA) course at the College of Southern Idaho (CSI), she knew this was an opportunity to make her dream a reality.
At CSI, the I-CNA program is offered through a partnership between its College and Career Readiness (CCR) and Workforce Development Center programs and the Health Science and Human Services department. It is designed to help non-native English speakers learn or improve their English while pursuing their CNA certification. Participants include English-language-learning U.S. citizens, refugees, immigrants, and foreign nationals from various national backgrounds, including countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America.
“Because the program integrates English language and civics instruction into the standardized CNA curriculum, it takes a whole semester to complete, as opposed to the eight weeks of the general population version of the CNA class at CSI,” said Philip Valenta, industry training coordinator for CCR. “Otherwise, our students are completing the same clinicals and exams as the students of any other CNA section offered on campus.”
The I-CNA program provides a dedicated English Language Acquisition (ELA) instructor to help students improve their language skills and support them during their CNA instruction. The program also includes support outside the classroom, including securing funding assistance, figuring out transportation and childcare options, and creating study groups. And because the cohorts are small—about 10 students are served each semester—CCR can follow up with program graduates to see how they’re doing, personally and professionally. The program was perfect for Lopez, so she enrolled on Jan. 10, 2021.
Lopez, who has been in the U.S. for 26 years, found the customer service and guest relations skills she acquired working at a casino, first as a housekeeper, then as a desk clerk, translated well to being a CNA. But studying medical terminology in her second language proved to be particularly challenging. Fortunately, her children, ages 17, 35, and 38, have been supportive and encouraging.
“They’ve been incredible. I’m 56, so going back to school was a little hard, especially at my age. But when I begin something, I don’t stop,” said Lopez. “Sometimes, I’d take a picture of something I didn’t understand and send it to my daughter-in-law and have her explain it to me.”
Lopez also studied with her youngest daughter.
“She’ll be graduating early in February, and she wants to be a CNA, too,” said Lopez. “She helps me a lot, and I always practice with her.”
In addition to support from her family, Lopez also appreciates the help she received from her instructors at CSI.
“I had the best teachers. Every patient is different, and they showed me so many ways to get the job done and make sure every patient has a good experience,” said Lopez. “They made everything look so easy, but they also made me feel like I could do it. They were so encouraging.”
Maria Lopez
Through hard work and determination, Lopez finished the I-CNA program in June and passed her exams in August. After getting hired as a CNA at St. Luke’s Magic Valley in September, Lopez decided to take the 80-hour phlebotomy course at CSI, which she completed in December. She continues to improve her skills—in both nursing and English.
“When I was taking the CNA course, I had to read some chapters four or five times in English and one or two times in Spanish. I even downloaded a translation app on my phone to help me,” said Lopez. “But now, in my phlebotomy class, I need minimal translation to understand.”
Lopez loves her new job, but she hasn’t forgotten the importance of customer service and hard work. “It doesn’t matter what language you speak,” said Lopez. “It matters how you do your job, how you handle difficult situations, and how you choose to care for people.”