2 Credits And 1 1/2 Decades Later, He Earns A Diploma
By AL WHELESS, Daily Dispatch Writer
When Vance-Granville Community College holds its spring graduation in May, one of those who plan to wear a cap and gown is 32-year-old Joe Nalevaiko.
He just finished high school.
“We’re proud of Joe, yes we are,” said Roberta Scott, the coordinator of the adult high school diploma program at the college. “He was determined. We’re proud of all of our students.”
Nalevaiko isn’t exactly typical of people who get their high school diplomas at Vance-Granville, Scott said. “Usually the students are younger than Joe. They normally are from 18 to 22 or 23 years old.”
His wife, Sue, and their three children motivated him to go back to school. Chelsey is 13. Kaylynn is 10. C.J. is 6.
“My wife was telling me I needed to get it done,” Nalevaiko said. “She said a diploma would be nice to have. She has hers. She is 34. I’m always telling the kids to do your best and just try.”
He went to Vance-Granville in August and finished in late November. He attended classes from 6 to 9 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
“I got an A in English and a B in history,” Nalevaiko said. “That’s not bad, considering I was a C and D student in public school.”
A native of Long Island, N.Y., Nalevaiko moved here in the 10th grade and went to Vance Senior High School. He chose to work full time at the cotton mill his senior year because he could get out of school early. “I was 1 1/2 credits short because I failed English and world history.”
Not finishing high school in the late 1980s was “a foolish mistake, I guess,” Nalevaiko said.
By contrast, he described taking courses at Vance-Granville as easy. “Basically, you worked at your own pace. If you wanted to take stuff home, you could. I did.”
His family was both understanding and encouraging, Nalevaiko said. He did his studying at home at night.
For the past year, he has worked in the Water Department of the city of Henderson. “I fix water leaks and do new taps for houses.”
He said he doesn’t know whether having his high school diploma will help him get job promotions.
If people could stay in school and do well, they wouldn’t have to worry about it later, Nalevaiko said. “My teacher, Valerie Harriston, is very, very good. She took time with each of the students that needed help. People who get her are going to be very lucky.”
Nalevaiko said he probably will take some college courses at a later date.
“I don’t have any idea right now what I want to do,” he added.
“I feel better about myself now that it is done,” Nalevaiko said. “I feel like I can do just about anything.”
The writer can be reached at
awheless@hendersondispatch.com.
