Bentley Winfrey first walked through Knox Technical Center's doors and entered the ABLE program seven months ago. When observing him, at first all you see, is a quiet and polite man trying to improve his life through education. Rain or shine, Mr. Winfrey showed up every day for his GED® preparation classes. Although most of our students have valleys that they are overcoming, they each see that coming to ABLE and Knox Tech is a means to improve their life. Bentley has a unique story; and, after sitting down with him recently, he has agreed to allow us to share his story.
Mr. Winfrey grew up in the Cleveland area with his family. Although he completed four years of high school, he didn't have the right classes required to complete his diploma.
Through friends, however, he always managed to land a job. His longest career being with a Cleveland parts company, where he was a machine operator. After this company had changed owners, he was laid off after 24 years of loyalty.
When resources had run low, he moved to Apple Valley to be with family. And it was during this time, that he was introduced to ABLE's GED® preparation program. Not having the proper funds to have a car, Mr. Winfrey rode his bike from Apple Valley to our Martinsburg Road campus every class session; he rode in the rain, he rode in the snow... until it was too dangerous to ride in the winter, and then he walked. What wasn't widely known, was that he became homeless in the middle of winter; and yet he still kept showing up to his classes.
Despite his circumstances, his dedication to improving his situation through education is nothing less than commendable! Bentley completed over seven months of training, he passed his GED® test; and he'll walk with the 2015-2016 graduates on June 2nd. When asked what his goals were now that he has his GED®, Winfrey says that he would like to enter Knox Technical Center's CNC Manufacturing program. However, for now, he's hoping to get a job working for a manufacturing company.
Mr. Winfrey grew up in the Cleveland area with his family. Although he completed four years of high school, he didn't have the right classes required to complete his diploma.
Through friends, however, he always managed to land a job. His longest career being with a Cleveland parts company, where he was a machine operator. After this company had changed owners, he was laid off after 24 years of loyalty.
When resources had run low, he moved to Apple Valley to be with family. And it was during this time, that he was introduced to ABLE's GED® preparation program. Not having the proper funds to have a car, Mr. Winfrey rode his bike from Apple Valley to our Martinsburg Road campus every class session; he rode in the rain, he rode in the snow... until it was too dangerous to ride in the winter, and then he walked. What wasn't widely known, was that he became homeless in the middle of winter; and yet he still kept showing up to his classes.
Despite his circumstances, his dedication to improving his situation through education is nothing less than commendable! Bentley completed over seven months of training, he passed his GED® test; and he'll walk with the 2015-2016 graduates on June 2nd. When asked what his goals were now that he has his GED®, Winfrey says that he would like to enter Knox Technical Center's CNC Manufacturing program. However, for now, he's hoping to get a job working for a manufacturing company.
ABLE classes are for adults who want to improve their math, reading and writing skills in order to find a job, prepare for job training programs or for college. ABLE also prepares those who want their GED®. For more information, please visit:
http://www.knoxtechnicalcenter.com/ableged.html
We are very proud of Bentley's dedication and achievements. And we hope to see him employed in the near future!
http://www.knoxtechnicalcenter.com/ableged.html
We are very proud of Bentley's dedication and achievements. And we hope to see him employed in the near future!
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