Sandy Alvarez

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The first graduate of Centro’s new High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) program, Sandy is a trailblazing example of how you empower members of our community to thrive. A vibrant 28-year-old mother of three, she exudes a palpable drive to succeed. By all accounts, Sandy appears unstoppable. But one thing kept standing in her way—her lack of a high school diploma.

Sandy had barely turned 16 when she moved to the U.S. from Mexico with her parents and three siblings. In the midst of her sophomore year of high school, she was thrust into navigating a new system of education, not to mention entirely new language and culture. Like many recent arrivals, unreliable housing meant frequent moves for her family, which served only to further interrupt her education. Having fallen so far behind in school and with limited proficiency in English, upon turning 18 Sandy’s only option was to work. 

Years later and happily married, Sandy once again set her sights on earning her diploma. This time, though, with a young child in tow—and then two more—the biggest obstacle was childcare. How could she take classes without anyone to watch her children? Again Sandy’s goal seemed out of reach. 

She then learned that the Workforce Development Department at Centro Hispano had launched a HiSET prep program. Already an ESL student and familiar with Centro’s in-house childcare, Sandy eagerly joined the first cohort of HiSET students in October 2019. Despite a pause in programming, endless uncertainties and a transition to virtual instruction due to COVID, Sandy passed her HiSET exam and earned her high school equivalency diploma this October. She is a HiSET hero.