Macksburg farmer reaches lifelong dream

Mike Connelly’s story is one that comes out of inspiration, determination and a whole lot of grit.

Earlier this fall, Connelly, a farmer from near Macksburg, graduated from the HiSET program at Southwestern Community College in Creston.

HiSET is the High School Equivalency Diploma program known coliquolly as the GED, though several years ago, Iowa ceased using the GED for students who had not graduated high school in a traditional fashion.

“This is something I’ve always wanted to get done since I was 20 years old,” said Connelly. “I’ve just been so busy working that I didn’t really have the time to do it. I finally just knuckled down and said I’m going to get it done.”

Connelly, 57, credits the “top shelf” professors he had within the HiSET program for his ability to finish. He had a sixth grade education when he embarked on HiSET. While he had been able to handle the basics as a business owner through the years, he had never had any formal education in algebra, equations or graphing. Math was especially challenging to him, but he found away to fight through.

“I like a challenge, and once you start to figure it out, it’s kind of fun, really,” Connelley said. “It’s fun figuring your way through it.”

Connelly describes himself as being “terrible” at spelling and did not know how to use proper punctuation.

“I was very tickled and very pleased when I finished this,” Connelly said. “The biggest accomplishment for me was when I passed the math test.

“I’ve always been a hard worker, but the bottom line is that if anybody’s looking for a suggestion about whether they should drop out of school or continue on and get that education, let me be a first hand knowledgable person to tell them [dropping out] is the worst decision you can make,” Connelly added. “Some day the opportunity is going to come up for you to really better your life. Without that education, you may the last pick, shall we say. I know this from experience.”

Connelly manages a family farm near Macksburg, raises thoroughbred race horses, has a thoroughbred sale company, a hay business and has spent over 40 years of his life as a sought after public address announcer for rodeos and other events. For 16 years, he was public address announcer for Double B Productions, which originated in Greenfield.

Thanks to grant funding, HiSET is currently being offered free of charge at locations in Creston, Osceola, Red Oak and Leon/Lamoni.

“I think it is amzing that we are able to offer HiSET classes free of charge to help individuals better their lives. For many of our students, they are adults with families, and finances are tight,” said Miah Denton, a HiSET instructor who taught Connelly. “Then seeing students like Mike reach their goals is very rewarding. He worked hard, and even after being out of school for many years, he was an exemplary student.”

Darla Helm oversees adult literacy at SWCC.

“SWCC has wonderful AEL instructors who are dedicated to teaching students, assisting with eliminating barriers and striving to promote career pathways,” Helm said. “SWCC instructors work with students to set an individual learning plan to fit students’ needs and schedules. We also offer a technology lend program for students who are interested in online options, but do not have computer access”.