‘Now it’s about showing up for you:’ HiSET and CareerWorks Graduates Share Moving Remarks at Graduation Ceremony

This week, the Lynn community came together to celebrate the dedication and hard work of 28 ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), HiSET (High School Equivalency Test), and CareerWorks students, who graduated from Catholic Charities North.  

Catholic Charities North’s CareerWorks, HiSET, and ESOL courses are a part of a broader Employment Prep Program called CIES (Comprehensive Integrated Employment Services) designed to help DTA eligible clients prepare for successful careers in computer technology, healthcare, human services, and more. 

Among the many proud ceremony attendees was Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson, who shared congratulatory remarks and provided the students with mayoral citations on behalf of the city, as well as Lynn City Councilors Coco Alinsug of Ward 3, Nicole McClain, Councilor at Large, and Natasha Megie-Maddrey of Ward 4, who is also a Career Navigator and a case manager at Catholic Charities North.  

Lesly Aleman, a graduate of the HiSET program, shared a heartfelt speech on her experience in the program and the tight-knit support system she found at Catholic Charities, during Thursday’s ceremony.  

A first-generation U.S. citizen, born and raised in Lynn, Lesly said she has played a vital role in supporting her family financially ever since she was able to work. As a freshman at Lynn Public High School, Lesly struggled to balance academics with the three part-time jobs she was working. 

“I never felt like I fit in at school,” said Lesly. “I always was in the back of the class or alone at lunch. I just knew I needed to get home and work to help support my family.”  

For Lesly, discovering a flexible and supportive program like Catholic Charities North’s HiSET class was a dream come true, allowing her to identify and harness her academic strengths, earn her degree, and find trusted mentors who continue to support her in pursuing career opportunities.  

“Lesly is a hardworking and determined young lady,” said Colleen Caro, who has served as Catholic Charities North’s Case Manager Supervisor. “She is excited to further her education and Catholic Charities staff will continue to support her every step of the way.”  

Catholic Charities North’s programs strive to accommodate the unique needs and life circumstances of every student, regardless of their age.  

Manuel with his fiancé and one of his daughters.

Graduate Manuel Pagan, who spoke at Thursday’s ceremony, recently completed Catholic Charities North’s HiSET CIES program – a goal he has been striving to achieve for the past decade. As the father of seven children, he said he struggled for many years to prioritize his own education and career. It wasn’t until he connected with CareerWorks instructor Ana Stipanovic that Manuel said he truly realized the value of taking accountability, even when times are hard. 

“Ana means the world to me,” he said. “I have completed so much because of her. She was so straightforward with me and said, ‘Everyone has things going on, but you have to take the first step. You have to show up for your life’.” 

As a student at Catholic Charities North, Manuel said he not only found a strong support system but developed a new confidence that he had never experienced in an academic setting.  

“Because of the welcoming, positive environment, I started speaking up in class and helping to motivate other students to complete the program,” he said.  

Proudly addressing his peers and mentors at the graduation ceremony, he said, “Because of wanting to set an example to my children, I can stand before you all and say we finished this part of our race. The hardest part is over, and now it’s about showing up for you.” 

To find out how you can support students like Lesly and Manuel in achieving their dreams, or other Catholic Charities’ clients, visit our Ways to Give page.