At 18, Emma left her home in Mexico and moved to the United States to help support her family, putting her own education on hold. Years later, she found her way to PAVE East Texas and began her journey in ESL classes. Everything felt challenging at first, but Emma never stopped showing up. With each class, her confidence grew and she began to believe she was capable of more. As her English improved, Emma enrolled in the GED program and took on an incredible challenge — preparing for and passing all four GED exams in English, her second language. “Every day I went to school, I started feeling more confident,” she shared. The day she passed her first test was emotional. The day she walked across the graduation stage was unforgettable. After earning her GED, Emma continued giving back by returning to the classroom as a volunteer. She now helps translate, answers questions, and encourages students who are beginning the same journey she once took. Through her perseverance and heart for others, Emma is changing lives — including her own.