Sutter County Adult Education - Student Testimonials and Success Stories

photo of english as a second language student, Marcia Beatriz Valladares

Monica Carrillo-Manzo, 2023 Graduate

Monica Carrillo-Manzo has been a very dedicated and determined student who has put in many hours studying to complete her credits for her high school diploma. She was able to work on her assignments while commuting to her seasonal agricultural job to work her 12 hour shifts. With her excellent time management skills she was also maintaining her household and taking care of her husband and five children. Monica enjoys traveling and cooking with her family. Her career goals include a job where she can assist and care for others. "I want to thank my teachers Jack Chao and Carolyn Lathrop at Sutter County Adult Education for their dedication in assisting me in completing my credits for my diploma. I also want to thank the Adult Ed Navigator Susan Odegard for her guidance helping me research my career goals and options for my future education and career training," said Monica. Congratulations to Monica for all her hard work!

Picture of Adult Education student posing for her photo

Tehreem Aslam, 2022 Graduate

Tehreem Aslam was working 12-hour shifts as a Behavioral Health Assistant when she decided to complete her diploma and start attending Sutter County Adult Education. Working long shifts, attending class and completing homework all while sharing one car with her boyfriend was not always easy. With Tehreem’s perseverance and hard work, she earned her diploma with Sutter County Adult Education in 2022. She then went on to attend and graduate from the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program at Yuba College. Tehreem soon was hired as an ER Technician at Adventist Health Hospital. Tehreem says what she loves most about her job is, “helping people and making them feel safe and taken care of.” When it comes to her time at Sutter County Adult Education, Tehreem had wonderful things to say. “My experience with Sutter County Adult Education was one of admiration and gratitude. I’m tremendously appreciative of the opportunity this program has given me. Thanks to the staff, I felt I was given another chance at my education and provided possibilities to prove myself to enhance my potential. My goal has always been to work in healthcare and thanks to the Sutter County program, I was able to accomplish this feat. Each member of the staff is committed to their students and truly care to help them fulfill their goals. Their passion and efficiency to drive students to accomplish their goals is what really makes the program successful. They continue to aid me to pursue my educational journey to this day.” Congratulations Tehreem on reaching your goals and getting your new job!

Photo of female Adult Education Graduate

Adult Education student posing for his photo

James Davis, 2022 Graduate

During the pandemic, James experienced a lay off while working as a mechanic at a manufacturing company. He soon found other employment, but this job did not match his career goals. At the same time his daughter had become ill, her grades dropped and she had to leave her high school basketball team. James spoke with his daughter and decided that together they would support each other with their educational goals. James attended Sutter County Adult Education where he studied and successfully passed the HiSet exam. His daughter improved her grades and now is doing well starting her senior year in high school. James currently attends Yuba College where he is studying Business Management with the goal to start a galvanizing company. Congratulations to James and his family!

Mark Moon, 2022 Adult Education Graduate

“I appreciate the support from Sutter County Adult Ed with helping me graduate high school and working with my schedule to make it a smooth transition.” -Mark Moon _____________ "At seventeen, Mark dropped out of high school because he did not see the benefits of completing his high school diploma. He worked for about five years for a company in production utility and as a Forklift Driver, but decided that he wanted a career in which he could continue his education and grow. Mark registered with Sutter County Adult Education and was eligible to be in the Independent Study Program where his teacher, Carolyn Lathrop, assisted him with completing his credits and earning his diploma while working with his schedule. Mark went to the Yuba County One Stop for job training services where he and the business workforce specialist created an employment plan. Mark trained for a few months as a Clerk at the YCOE Youth Advocacy Department and was so successful that he recently accepted a job in that department. Mark would like to thank Christina Allis (Yuba County One Stop), Bobbi Abold and Brendon Messina (Yuba County Office of Education) for all of their assistance with training and getting this wonderful new job. Congratulations on your new job Mark!" -Susan Odegard, Adult Education

Dental Assistant student posing for her photo

Sara Naib, English as a Second Language Graduate

"Eighteen months ago Sara relocated to America from Afghanistan and within this time frame she has worked very hard to reach her education and employment goals. She started her education in the English as a Second Language class through Sutter County Adult Ed where she improved her English and then felt confident and ready to get a job. With the help of Rhea Burns and the Sutter County One Stop, Sara was placed on a work experience allowing her the ability to gain job skills and training which led to a job offer at JC Penney. Now, Sara continues to work at JC Penney while she furthers her education at Yuba College. We are so happy for Sara and congratulate her on her new job and her continued success with college!" -Susan Odegard, Adult Education Navigator

Adult Education student posing for her photo

Wen Chen, 2022 Adult Education Graduate

Wen had completed her high school education in China when she decided to pursue additional education in the United States. She ended up moving to Northern California by herself where she has friends and after researching various programs that would assist her with completing a diploma that was recognized in the United States, she decided upon Sutter County Adult Education. Her dream has been to become a movie director inspired by the work of James Cameron and she has realized that she needed a business background that would support this type of work in the entertainment industry. Wen successfully earned her high school diploma through Sutter County Adult Education and now attends Sacramento City College and is majoring in Business where she is pursuing her dream career. Congratulations Wen on your educational success and journey as you pursue your dreams! -Susan Odegard, Adult Education Navigator

Dione Chapman, 2018-2019 Adult Education Graduate

Dione Chapman is a 2018 Sutter County Adult Education graduate who has continued her education while working through some family tragedy and is one of our success stories. The week after graduating with her diploma, she began a Medical Assisting program in Sacramento and then the school closed just four weeks before she was to graduate from this program. Then, in the following seven weeks she lost both her mother and her father unexpectedly. Dione states that with the support and encouragement of her children and the inspiration and memory of her parents, she has been able to continue her education. She currently is attending a local program to complete her education to become a Medical Assistant and has maintained perfect attendance and been on the Director’s List since she began class. We would like to congratulate Dione on her current success and wish her the best in the future. -Susan Odegard, Adult Education Navigator

Carlada, 2018-2019 Adult Education Graduate

Carlada is a single mother of four children. Carlada spent years overcoming some very difficult areas, but determined to finish her high school credits through Adult Ed at Behavioral Health. While she worked on her classwork, she also held a full-time retail position, volunteered at community food and clothing centers, as well as maintained a home and encouraged her children in their education. Carlada finished her high school credits in January and immediately began taking classes at Yuba College. She plans to receive her AA degree in social work and then transfer to Sac State to complete the BA in that coursework. She plans to continue serving the community professionally as a Social Worker and dreams of founding a non-profit to help families of incarcerated individuals overcome their emotional and educational needs. Carlada is determined to live her life helping others and is so grateful for the opportunity that Adult Education has given her to accomplish her goals. -Marcia Morgan - Adult Education Teacher

Monica Carrillo-Manzo, 2023 Graduate

Monica Carrillo-Manzo has been a very dedicated and determined student who has put in many hours studying to complete her credits for her high school diploma. She was able to work on her assignments while commuting to her seasonal agricultural job to work her 12 hour shifts. With her excellent time management skills she was also maintaining her household and taking care of her husband and five children. Monica enjoys traveling and cooking with her family. Her career goals include a job where she can assist and care for others. "I want to thank my teachers Jack Chao and Carolyn Lathrop at Sutter County Adult Education for their dedication in assisting me in completing my credits for my diploma. I also want to thank the Adult Ed Navigator Susan Odegard for her guidance helping me research my career goals and options for my future education and career training," said Monica. Congratulations!

Photo of Monica Carrillo-Manzo, Adult Education graduate