By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer
At Rio Salado College's High School Equivalency (HSE) graduation ceremony, held on June 17, 2026, student speakers Brianna Reynolds and Joseph Rogers addressed their fellow graduates and reflected on the journeys that brought them to the stage.
Both students spent time away from education before returning to complete their diplomas, and both used that experience to build a clearer vision for their futures.
Today, Reynolds works as a payroll administrator while Rogers is pursuing a career in aviation maintenance.
Brianna Reynolds: Reclaiming Her Future
For Brianna Reynolds, earning her HSE diploma was an opportunity to reclaim a future that once felt out of reach.
After completing her senior year of high school, Reynolds was just two credits short of graduating. She attempted to finish her remaining coursework online, but personal challenges made it difficult to complete the final requirements.
What followed were several years in which she felt disconnected from her educational goals and uncertain about her future.
In 2025, Reynolds enrolled in Rio Salado's in-person HSE program and committed herself to completing something that had remained unfinished for years.
With determination and focus, she earned her HSE diploma and the National Retail Foundation Retail Fundamentals Credential in just two months, culminating in the graduation ceremony.
“I cannot believe I finally did it,” Reynolds said. “For years, this felt like a dream that would always remain just out of reach. I had made peace with the idea that it might never happen for me. But here I am, proving myself wrong in the best way possible.”
The accomplishment represented far more than an academic milestone. It helped Reynolds discover a passion for numbers and accounting, and opened new possibilities for her future.
Today, she is thriving as a payroll administrator, where she has discovered a passion for finance and accounting. She plans to continue her education and pursue a degree in the field.
Rio Salado's supportive environment helped provide the structure and encouragement she needed to move forward.
“The community atmosphere and the support I received from every single staff member and other students was the best I've ever had in a school setting, ever,” Reynolds said.
Reynolds' story serves as a reminder that educational journeys do not always follow a straight path, and with guidance, belief and motivation, many things are possible.
“Many students in my class had been out of school for many years,” Reynolds said. “I would encourage those in a similar situation to not give up. It may take a little longer than you expected, but you are just as deserving as anyone else to reach your goals.”
Joseph Rogers: Finding Confidence and a New Direction
Joseph Rogers left high school during his sophomore year after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his education.
The transition to online learning, combined with challenges at home, made it difficult to stay connected to school. He entered the workforce full-time at 16 and spent several years working in warehousing, focused on building stability and independence.
Even so, the goal of completing his education never disappeared.
The turning point came when Rogers realized that self-doubt had become his greatest obstacle.
"I chose this class to make myself proud and to get further in life," Rogers said.
In 2025, he enrolled in Rio Salado's HSE program and committed himself to finishing what he had started. The supportive environment helped him rebuild his confidence and rediscover his belief in what was possible.
"Learning at Rio Salado was amazing," Rogers said. "They really work with your level and what you need to get passed."
With each exam he completed, his confidence grew. In just three months, he passed all five GED tests and earned his diploma.
"Graduating has given me one of the best feelings I've ever had," he said.
Today, Rogers is pursuing a career in aviation maintenance. He is enrolled in Aviation Mechanics Institute and plans to earn his Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license so he can work on commercial aircraft while continuing to work full time.
"My future goals are to complete aviation maintenance technician school to receive my A&P license so I can work commercially fixing planes," he said.
For students considering returning to school, Rogers offers simple advice: "You just have to remember what you're doing it for and stay confident. No matter where you are at now or how long it will take, you will succeed."