By the time she was 9 years old, Patria Brown He had already recovered from 19 surgeries. Born with a congenital defect in one leg and hand, she spent several months in the hospital and underwent multiple surgeries during her young student years. Her books and her studies were her escape. Despite all the experiences she had by her sixth grade year, she became the principal conductor of her school's orchestra. In her ninth grade, she joined her drama club and debate club and dreamed of becoming a lawyer. She never imagined that her ninth grade would be her last year of high school.
Life happened. She had to move, became a mother, and worked to support her new family's various needs. She stopped dreaming about her own future. Instead, she turned her attention to her children.
“I decided I wanted my kids to understand the importance of finishing school. But telling them they have to finish when I haven't finished makes me feel like a cheater. I felt like I would be embarrassed to be around other parents. It was my dirty little secret,” Patria confessed.
While focusing on educating her children, she sought to educate herself through reading. By 2022, Patria and her husband have managed to get her five children through high school and one through college.
“At every graduation ceremony, I imagined myself walking across the stage and receiving my diploma. I was dreaming again,” Patria revealed.
In August 2022, she knew it was time to pursue her dream of going back to school.
“I enrolled in classes at Cobb County Adult Education,” Patria said. “We were able to earn her GED in just eight months while working with some of the most amazing teachers.”
In June 2023, she walked across the stage as her graduate as her family and friends looked on.
“Graduation was one of the happiest moments of my life,” Patria said. “It wasn’t easy as it took me several months to pass the four tests, but I realized what it means to push through and keep going, no matter how hard it is.”
Knowing Patria's story of perseverance makes what happened next even more impressive.
The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) recently named Patria the 2024 Adult Education Student of the Year.
A panel of business and education judges selected Patria, who will receive a full scholarship to the vocational school of her choice. Additionally, her tuition and book costs will be paid for by a scholarship from the Brenda Wise Scholarship Fund, established in 2014 in memory of Brenda Wise, who supported her adult education throughout her life. -3.png)
“We are extremely proud of Patria and all she has accomplished.” Dr. Ethan Caturra, Deputy Superintendent of Cobb Schools. “Her remarkable success is a testament not only to her dedication to improving her own life through her education, but also to the quality of education provided by the Cobb County Schools Adult Education Program staff.”
To inspire others considering pursuing their own GED, Patria will be traveling around the state next year as Georgia's Dinah Culbreth Wayne Eagle Adult Education Ambassador. Cobb graduates will speak to students, civic groups, legislators and others about literacy and lifelong learning.
“Through everything I have experienced in life, I have learned that I can do anything I set my mind to,” declared the 2024 Adult Education Student of the Year. “Going back to school gave me the courage to dream and permission to move forward toward my goals. Now I'm more than just a dropout, wife, and mother. I'm an alumnus. I'm a wheelchair basketball player. I'm an athlete and I'm going to be a real estate agent in the future.
