GED success stories hailed at conference

PARK CITY — A little more than 50 years ago, John Dutra dropped out of high school. Some 45 years later, he sold his own real estate business for $900 million — due in a large part, he says, to the confidence earning a GED gave him.

Dutra was honored with the Cornelius P. Turner Award at the national conference of General Education Development test program administrators held in Park City this week, for his phenomenal business success as well as years of community service, including three terms as a California State Assembly member.

After skipping several grades in his early education years, he became so bored in high school that he began skipping classes.

"Traditional school wasn't working for me," he said. "A teacher advised me I was not college material."

Dutra dropped out of trade school and joined the Navy to relieve his family of another mouth to feed. Recognizing his ability, Dutra's officers encouraged him to attend the Navy Hospital Corpsman School.

"I did well, and it convinced me my teacher was wrong," he said, "and I wanted to find a way to get a high school diploma, which led me to the GED program."

Dutra attended San Jose University, eventually received a master's degree and began his own real estate business in 1972.

More than 19 million adults have earned the equivalent of a high school diploma through their state's GED program. For many, the program has provided a new lease on life.

"It was encouraging to me. It gave me a second chance," Dutra said. "It paved the way for whatever achievements came later."

Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner is also a GED recipient and was honored with the conference's Lifetime Achievement Award on Wednesday.

Minner grew up on a farm and dropped out of school at age 16 to help support her family. After being widowed at age 32, she decided to return to school while caring for three boys and working two jobs. She received her general equivalency diploma in 1968 before enrolling in college. She built a towing business with her second husband and was elected as a Delaware state representative six years later.

The conference also honored three Utahns with scholarships for their successes after earning the GED. Jeremy Bierwolf returned to school at age 21 and is now enrolled in the Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College, studying to become an electrical technician.