“It has been 15 long years since my high school class graduated without me,” Delilah Hernandez said at her 2018 GED graduation ceremony. “But the length of time it may have taken me to complete this achievement is not a relevant factor for me tonight. What is relevant is that it has been accomplished.”
These words marked the beginning of an inspiring journey for Hernandez, who has since achieved more than she ever imagined. In 2017, while seven months pregnant, she decided to prioritize her education for the sake of herself and her children.
She attended Moraine Park’s General Educational Development (GED) and High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) orientation—her first step toward a brighter future.
Seven years later, she not only completed her GED but also became a mother of three and earned an associate degree in nursing from Moraine Park.
After earning my GED, I thought, ‘Gosh, I really can do this,’ so, I decided to take my education further. When I chose nursing, I was nervous because I was never good at math, but I knew it was something I could do. The Moraine Park faculty played a big role in me learning about myself and what I was capable of. There was nothing stopping me.” – Delilah Hernandez
Hernandez’s hard work paid off when she was hired as a nurse on the med-surg unit at Froedtert Hospital in West Bend even before graduating— a testament to her dedication and the support she received from Moraine Park.
Hernandez walked the stage at Moraine Park’s Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremony and attended the West Bend Campus Nursing Pinning Ceremony with her family.
I’m very grateful for Moraine Park. Although it’s been a long journey, I’ve been supported along the way, and I’m so excited for this new chapter in my life.