STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
MEET MATTHEW AND KAYLA WOLF
Matthew Wolf, 27, and Kayla, 26, recently graduated from St. Johns River State College’s Adult Education program, earning their high school diplomas after 10 years of tag-teaming classes, jobs and the demands of raising three children, ages 9, 7 and 5, with special needs. This Interlachen couple’s goals were fueled by their desire to be an example for their children – even if it meant taking years of “baby steps” to get their diplomas in hand. “We’ve been wanting to get our GEDs to show our kids that no matter what, you can do it,” Kayla said.
MATTHEW AND KAYLA, WHERE DOES YOUR STORY BEGIN?
Kayla: I dropped out of high school because I couldn’t understand the information at the time, and Matthew dropped out when I got pregnant with our daughter.
We have had to overcome a lot of obstacles to get to where we are today, but we have had each other’s strength to get through some of the most challenging things life could throw at us. All of our children were born via emergency c-section due to me having pre-eclampsia with each of them. I have undergone four major surgeries, brain and spine surgery and repeat hip surgeries. As much as I wanted to go back to school, it wasn’t an option between three special needs kids, therapy, and doctor appointments for them, along with years of physical therapy and doctors for myself. There were not enough hours in the day, sadly.
Matthew had to work as many hours as possible to be able to make up for me being unable to work. Four major surgeries in three years is a big financial toll. Matthew wanted to get his diploma, but he didn't have the time. Life has thrown so many things at us, and we have managed to get through and find a way to make things work, even in the darkest of times. We knew we would get our diplomas to prove that anything is possible. Our biggest reason was not only to get better jobs; it was to show our kids that anything is possible if you are determined.
WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU OVERCAME DURING THE GED PROGRAM?
Kayla: When we started the program, it felt like we were starting over from scratch – especially because the math felt so different – but SJR State’s faculty and staff’s tireless commitment to our success and the way the program is geared toward creating individual plans for each student helped significantly.
Matthew: Thank you, St. Johns River State College, for helping me achieve what I thought was impossible and for working with us and all of our obstacles, and giving me what I needed to start my career and better my family.
WHAT WAS THE MOST VALUABLE THING YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF WHILE ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM?
Kayla: The most valuable thing we learned was that we should never doubt ourselves, and even if something seems impossible, don’t let that stand in our way – no matter what! During the program, we learned that there is always going to be a reason not to, but we had to keep pushing each other to see it through. We even raced each other a bit when it came down to social studies and math.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELVES 10 YEARS FROM NOW?
Matthew: I see myself working as a supervisor at the local parcel service where I work as a loader. I would like to advance as much as possible within the company.
Kayla: I begin SJR State’s nursing assistant program in January. In 10 years, I see myself doing the job I have always wanted to do, which is an ultrasound technician. I want to share in the joy of mothers seeing their babies grow inside of them.
I am going to take my time getting through school. It’s not a race; however, no matter what, we will reach our dreams because SJR State showed us we can do it, and our education is something we don’t need to give up on because we feel we can’t do it. I have a lot more procedures ahead of me, but I’m not going to let it stand in the way of my dreams. Matthew is determined to reach his goals and dreams of becoming the best he can be at a job he loves while doing an amazing job at supporting his family.
In 10 years, we want to look back and see that even when we were going through more than we thought we could handle, we still were able to conquer one of the biggest challenges we both faced, which was getting our diploma to make a better life for our kids. Ten years from now is not that far away; however, if life has taught us anything, it’s that we can do anything if we put faith in ourselves and each other.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Susan Kessler
Director of Public Relations and Publications
(386) 312-4021