OTAN invites nominations of California adult education learners who are successful as a result of the education received at adult education agencies for the California Adult Education Students Succeed program. The program honors outstanding students who are adults with significant life responsibilities, who have made positive contributions to the community, established and met life goals by attending an adult education program, improved the life situations of self and others, and overcome difficult circumstances in order to pursue adult learning experiences. The program recognizes the hard work that outstanding adult education students have completed in the pursuit of their personal, academic, and professional goals and aspirations.
You can read stories and watch videos from previous years by clicking on the Students tab. You can also explore stories from specific adult education agencies and programs by clicking on the Schools and Programs tabs. To learn how to nominate a student for the program and to submit an online nomination form, click on the Nomination tab.
Students Succeed Honoree: Mario Cortez
Mario Cortez was born in the United States in 1965 but was raised in Tijuana. In the 1970's, his family worked in the fields picking lemons, oranges, olives, and grapes. His family followed the harvest up and down California, Oregon, and Washington. At the age of 10, his first job was picking oranges. He learned English by watching TV, as neither parent spoke English, and he never attended school.