Trident Literacy Association

Leila Cromartie has five children. She put off going back to school for a long time, and finally enrolled at Celebration Station. She was determined to get her GED because she wantes to do better in life. She felt that she couldn't tell her children how important school is since she didn't finish. Now that she's finished she feels she has the credibility. Leila is enrolled in Trident Tech's nursing program.

Juana Fenton-Prioleau helped every other student with all their questions. How fitting, since she wants to be an RN, a perfect career for someone who wants to help people. Juana earned her CAN certificate and is working on going back to the nursing program at Trident Tech.

Anthony dropped out of school because he lived in a part of Orangeburg where there was no bus service and no one would take him to school. The message he got was to get a job and not waste his time in school. Anthony wanted more. He attended our Celebration Station site and earned his GED. Now he's a student at Trident Technical College, majoring in Computer Science. And, oh yes, he has a 4.0 GPA.

Shirley Wade had been out of school for more than 20 years. She came to Trident Literacy so she could gain the skills to be able to help her 8-year old son with his schoolwork. She is working with her tutor, Emma Jean King.

Bennie King (l), shown with his tutor, Catherine Kuhl, dropped out of school because he just lost interest. He joined the Marines for seven years. He was a welder, a mechanic, and drove a truck for 30 years. He even owned his own trucking company. His three children all graduated from college. Bennie came to Trident Literacy to further his education. He wants to go to college.

Doorest Coaxum’s life was in turmoil when she dropped out of school at age 17. She’s working on her GED so she can get a decent job.

Mario Smalls dropped out of school in the 11th grade and went to work. He’s been working in restaurants all this time and now, at age 30, he wants to earn his GED so he can get a better job.

Barbara Maynor – Dropped out of school because she had epilepsy and had frequent seizures. She always wanted to do something better with her life. Now, age 61, she comes every day and is progressing rapidly. An important milestone for her was when she was able to send her daughter an email in Iraq.

Pat Roberts, an intern at Trident Literacy, proudly displays her WorkKeys Certificate!

Orlando has improved two grade levels in reading and one in math. She dropped out of school at 16 because she got into the wrong crowd. Her uncle’s neighbor brought her to Trident Literacy.

Romane is proud that he improved a grade level in math. He wants to earn his GED so he can get a better job.

Daymon Smith dropped out of high school with six months left to "follow a girl." He already had numerous college scholarships, too! Daymon quickly earned not only his GED but also his WorkKeys Certificate afterstudying at our Celebration Station site, and is taking classes at Trident One Stop in computer technology. Daymon wants to be a computer engineer and hopes to work for Verizon.