NASHUA – As she prepared to graduate from the Nashua Center for Lifelong Learning, Brittany Alford emphasized that it is never too late to return to the classroom.

Alford said that school had always been a challenge during the graduation exercises of the district’s Secondary Summer School on July 31.

“Eventually, I gave up and dropped out,” she said, adding that she was just 17 years old when she had her first child.

As the years went on, Alford knew she needed to complete her high school education; however, she continued to put it off. That was until her sister received her Graduate Equivalency Diploma and gave Alford that final push.

At the age of 32, Alford decided it was time to make her move and enrolled in the NCLL.

“I was truly surprised at how smooth it went,” she said. “This was such a great experience for me.”

Having completed the district’s adult education program, Alford said her employer has given her a promotion and has agreed to fund her college tuition.

In addition, Mackenzie Murphy, admissions coordinator at Nashua Community College, presented Alford with a voucher for a three-credit course at NCC.

Matthew Poska, assistant superintendent for Secondary Schools, said his wife, an outdoor enthusiast from Montana, has always told him to “hike your own hike.”

He said that while it may have taken longer, the 26 students from both high schools and the NCLL still achieved their common objective.

“”You hiked your hike,” said Poska. “At the end of the day, no one can take this away from you.”

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