News Article

The power of education is forever


11/21/2006 9:47:55 AM


Loriann Leyte-Peddle went from high school drop out to college graduate, university student and career success story.

“It was either take ABE or stay like this for the rest of my life.”

This is the realization Loriann Leyte came to after finding herself dependant on social assistance, several years after dropping out of high school.

Loriann was completing her second-last year of high school in New World Island in September ‘92 when she became a mother. Though she attempted to return for her Grade 12 in ‘93, she faced child care issues and had to drop out of school.

She came to a crossroads in ‘97 and decided to enroll in College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Adult Basic Education (ABE) program through the Open Learning Centre in Twillingate.

“My son Dylon was in school by then and I had the time,” says Loriann. “But it was very difficult. I didn’t have a vehicle and had to depend on someone else for a ride.”

As a single mother she still had to care for her child at home. All the same, it didn’t take her long to complete the ABE program. She enrolled in November and completed her high school equivalence by January.

“I wanted to get it done,” she says, “I had put my education on hold long enough, so the faster I was able to complete my ABE and move on to higher studies the better.”

It worked wonders for her confidence. However, the high school grad didn’t continue her studies right away. It took her a couple more years before she went back.

“Right from the get go I knew I wanted to go on and do something else…I knew without an education I was not able to provide for myself or my son the way we deserved to be provided for,” she shares.

Loriann still lived in a remote area with no way to get to class every day for a full-time, long term program. Then in 2000 she moved to Baytona, a little over an hour’s drive to Grand Falls-Windsor, and a CNA campus. A couple of friends were attending there so she had the opportunity to car pool.

While attending Grand Falls-Windsor campus she embraced student life and was very involved with the Student Representatives Council.

“This was a very rewarding experience for me. I met so many people and learned so many things,” says Loriann.

She recommends to those attending CNA to become involved in student activities if possible.

“It makes your college life easier in regards to the many friends you will develop; at the same time, you get a chance to make college life more enjoyable for your peers as well.”

In 2003, Loriann graduated from the three-year Business Management (Human Resources) program. She didn’t stop there – having built up the momentum and confidence to go for a degree in Business. And by this time, she was Student Council President of Grand Falls-Windsor campus.

Because the campus offered the College-University Transfer Year program, Loriann was able to complete the first year of her degree close to home and for much less cost than if she had gone to university in St. John’s or Corner Brook. She moved to the town and cut down on costs even further.

She completed her first year of degree study at the CNA campus in 2004 and promptly began studies at Memorial University via distance. She found the university experience challenging in several ways.

“The thing with college is that most people were my age, many of them mature students,” says Loriann.

“But my classmates in university where mostly all 17 and 18 years old!”

However, she says it was valuable to share experiences with that age group.

“To sit back and listen to their points of view is interesting… they aren’t realizing that this is the best thing they’re ever going to do for themselves. It makes me appreciate my situation even more.”

The challenging aspect of continuing her university studies via distance was the self-discipline needed.

“You have to want to do it. There is no instructor that you can interact with on a daily basis,” she says.

“But it’s so convenient for me because I can finish my degree in business from my own home.”

Today Loriann is married and continues her studies while working full-time as a Payroll Benefits Specialist at Grand Falls-Windsor’s Help Desk Now call centre. There is room to grow in the company and lots of opportunity beyond.

By the time she finishes her degree in April, Loriann doesn’t know what the future will hold. She is only certain that it’s limitless. She strongly urges those who dropped out of school to look into ABE, regardless of the obstacles.

“There is assistance there for people who want to further their education, so you know what? Use it. Nothing in this world is impossible,” Loriann says encouragingly.

In her case, she availed of student loans.

“It will take me quite a while to pay them back but this is how I look at it: if I didn’t have a loan payment I would never have the job I have either. The loans made it possible for me to obtain the education I have.”

It’s been a long road for Loriann; one that required “sacrifice after sacrifice.” Was it worth it?

“Now my new family can live better and are able to do more than we could have if I hadn’t continued my education. Once you get that education, no one can ever take it from you,” says Loriann.

“It’s yours forever.”


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For more information contact:

Tanya Alexander
Public Information Office
College of the North Atlantic
709. 643.7928