It had been some time since Priscilla Pickle sat at a desk completing school assignments.

At the urging of her husband, Pickle traded in her hard hat and tools for a new beginning a few years ago.

Before that, Pickle held various jobs and had worked long, arduous days on the pipeline alongside her husband, Ben, but now she was determined to complete her high school education in hopes of new opportunities.

In her mid-40s and without a high school diploma, Pickle enrolled in high school equivalency classes taught at Kingfisher by longtime Kingfisher High School educators Lynn Barnett and Vicky Allen.

Federally funded and locally organized under the direction of Chisholm Trail Technology Center’s Adult Basic Education coordinator Marsha Overton, the program has daytime classes on the CTTC campus in Omega as well as evening classes in Kingfisher, Watonga and Fairview.

“I was bound and determined that I was going to get this one way or another,” Pickle said.

Obstacles would stand in her way…determination would be critical.

Shortly after fall classes resumed in 2019, her husband passed away and she said it was really hard and she was often discouraged, but realized Ben would want her to continue.

As she continued taking classes, Pickle said there were times she became frustrated and wanted to quit, but her children and her instructors encouraged her to keep trying.

“Priscilla bought into the program and it’s exciting to see how much she has accomplished,” Barnett said.

Wanting to help people to fulfill their dreams, Barnett said she, as well as the other instructors, truly care about the students and encourage anyone who is interested in the program to give it a try.

“We can help you figure out the next step,” she said.

With encouragement from Barnett, Pickle also enrolled in day classes at CTTC taught by Overton, sometimes doubling up on her studies.

“I’m really glad I did, because it was one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever gotten,” Pickle said.

Adult basic education classes are free in Oklahoma for students who, for various reasons, haven’t completed their high school education and want to build on the knowledge they possess with the goal of earning their high school equivalency diploma, Overton said.

“Initially students take a practice test and together with the student we come up with a plan best suited for them,” she added.

Ideally it’s best if they can get a high school diploma, Overton said, but even if students can come learn computer skills and become skilled-up to find a better job, it’s a positive result.

“Once they have that high school diploma, it opens up a lot of opportunities where the doors were previously closed,” she added.

Another recent added benefit for students is the ability to take the HiSET test (one of two high school equivalency exams recognized by the state of Oklahoma) at CTTC. The test consists of five sections, which are taken individually and scores never expire, Overton added.

Often students have test anxiety and it helps when they’re familiar with the place they will be taking the test, Overton said.

Having the testing available at CTTC has been very helpful, Overton and Barnett agreed.

It can be challenging for those who wish to return to classes and increase their education, Overton added.

“There are a variety of reasons students were unable to finish high school and it just gets harder to focus on prioritizing your education when you have other adult responsibilities pulling you all different directions,” she said. “But we’re here to help.

“We’re on the same team and want to help them meet their goals and know they are welcome here.”

Students can enroll in the adult basic education program at any time.

Sometimes when students complete the goal of getting their high school equivalency, they realize what they can do and want to continue their education, getting more specialized training, Overton said.

After losing her husband, Pickle said, she decided she would continue her education and try to get her diploma for him.

On Nov. 2, 2020, she accomplished that goal.

New doors and opportunities began opening up for Pickle.

“The day I actually passed the test,” Pickle said, “I knelt at Ben’s grave and said, ‘Babe, I did it. I did it.’”

As a prime example of what can be accomplished, Overton said of Pickle, “She overcame a lot of challenges, never gave up and stuck with it.”

Today you will find Pickle behind a computer monitor at CTTC diligently working towards a certification in graphic design.

“I’ve gone further than I thought I could,” Pickle said. “I’m thankful for the instructors and my kids who believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself.”

“CTTC has helped restore a little faith in myself and hope.”

Wanting to encourage others, Pickle added: “If I can do it, I know they can. Just remember don’t give up and lose sight of the end goal.”