Final test finally overcome, she can collect her diploma
At 32, ChaylaWigton finally can call herself a high-school graduate.
Yesterday, she lined up with Brookhaven High School’s Class of 2014, crossed the stage at the Greater Columbus Convention Center and received her diploma with graduates who weren’t yet in kindergarten when she was a senior in 2000.
Wigton earned enough high-school credits to graduate 14 years ago but could not receive her diploma because she failed the math section of the state graduation exam.
She decided to retake the test in October and, with the help of a tutor, passed it.
“It’s life-changing,” she said of earning her diploma. “I’ve wanted it for so long. I thought I was a failure when I didn’t have it.”
Most central Ohio school districts held graduation ceremonies over the past week. Most of Columbus’ high schools organized their events yesterday. Only one school remains: Africentric Early College High School’s graduation is on Thursday.
While at Brookhaven, Wigton passed all but the math section of the state exam on the first try. She failed four retakes and, after her final attempt during the summer after her senior year, she decided to focus on building a life for herself.
She was part of the Bank One Academy, an internship program at several Columbus high schools that connects participants with jobs after high school.
Since then, she has been able to support herself without her diploma. She is a bill collector at a local collection agency and has her own apartment in Whitehall.
She applied for other jobs for a chance at a higher paycheck but wasn’t qualified. That’s what prompted her to tackle the graduation exam.
“I was sick of it,” she said. “I had to let a job go because they asked for a high-school diploma, and I couldn’t produce it.”
Her mother hired a tutor, who spent two months helping Wigton prepare for math concepts she hasn’t seen since high school.
“There were so many questions about the circles and angles,” she recalled. “Put this angle in another angle. Does it fit? It was very overwhelming.”
She took the exam in October with a couple of other students who were in similar situations. Two months later, she was at home when she learned of her results on the phone.
“I fell to the floor and started crying,” Wigton said. “I was just so happy.”
Her family also received the news with joy.
“For her to be able to accomplish that in this stage in her life ... it opens doors for her,” said her mother, Anna Wigton. “I’m so proud of her I can burst.”
On Thursday, she returned to Brookhaven for graduation practice. She had not visited the school since she was a student there.
“It was eye-opening to know these were the hallways I walked when I was 18,” she said. “It was a really great feeling of accomplishment. I had to leave there because of what I didn’t accomplish in 2000. But I was back to get what I left.”