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ABOUT

Turner’s goals at Ivy Tech have been to do well academically and prove to herself and her family that she could complete college.  She is also determined to be an example to her son’s and teach them the value of an education and giving back to the community.

  She was inspired to give back to her community while attending high school.  She had a life coach that helped her.  Life coaches usually carry approximately 70 – 80 students on a case load.  They help students overcome barriers that will eventually help them obtain industry based certifications, college enrollment, and sustainable incomes, said Turner.  This inspired Turner to become a life coach.  She current has a student load of 81 students. 

  As if this student isn’t busy enough, through Facebook, friends suggested that Turner run for Miss Indiana Plus 2017, so she did.  And, she won!  She is currently Miss Indiana Plus 2017, and in July of 2017, Turner will participate in the National pageant. If she wins she will become Miss America Plus Elite.  Turner is going to utilize her platform as Miss Indiana Plus to promote the cause she is passionate about using the acronym ALERT “Adult Learners Educated Restored and Transformed.” Turner has a real vision. Her dream career is to own her own 501(c)3 organization that will connect non-traditional students in higher education with resources to remove barriers. 

            Turner has been accepted at IUPUI, and will be majoring in Political Science and minoring in Visual Communications.  She shared a quote by Maya Angelou that she said has carried her through, “Do the best you can until you know better, then when you know better, you do better.” Maya Angelou

 

Written by Maureen May

 

 

  Turner quit high school at the age of 15, as did her mother and grandmother. Education was never valued in her family, even though she excelled, there was just no urgency for her to graduate.  However, Turner decided to enroll at the Excel Center, an adult high school which gives adult students the opportunity to get a diploma, instead of a GED.  She only had 5 high school credits, but through the Excel Center’s accelerated program, and their online classes, Turner was able to graduate high school in 7-1/2 months.  That was in 2013.  A lot has happened since then.

  Turner enrolled at Ivy tech as an online student, but there were minor setbacks in getting acclimated to the rigors of college and working.  She wasn’t able to perform the first couple of semesters as she would like, and there were some personal problems that required her to drop out for a while.  When she came back to college, she came back strong taking 12 credit hours and she thrived thereafter, making the Dean’s list twice.  Turner really wanted to become involved in the college culture, so she joined Phi Theta Kappa, and currently holds the office of Vice President.  She is also currently serving as the Community Service Chair for the National Society of Leadership and Success, a Senator for the Student Government Association, and is a newly inducted member of Kappa Beta Delta (the business honor society). Turner is also a Bowen scholar (criteria is that a student be African American and have at least 6 college credits, write an essay, and go before an interview panel), and a 21st Century Scholars (criteria is to be an Indiana resident graduating with a Core 40 high school diploma)

  Turner stated that “being involved in these organizations inspired me to volunteer in organizations other than school.”  So, over the summer Turner volunteered for more than 200 community servicer hours, and receive the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, which is an international award.  She has two sons, ages nine and 18 months.  Because of her volunteer efforts her son now wants to also give back to the community and will be volunteering at the Children’s Museum.

 

"I'm a Non-Traditional Student, Mom, Life Coach  and Beauty Queen.

- Gloria 

"Breaking The Cycle of High School Dropouts!"

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