KOSCIUSKO — On April 29, Gradway held its very first fundraiser, an auction at Creighton’s Crazy Egg Cafe. It was a huge success and the organization is thankful for all the support our community showed. Over $16,000 was raised to support Gradway students.

Connie Heavilin captured the audience with her story of resilience and growing up with a mother who was bi-polar. She told her story of getting pregnant in high school, dropping out twice and struggling to raise her children on her own without an education.

She later earned her GED and then went on to earn a Master’s Degree. Even with this success, she explained how being a dropout has always impacted her view of herself. Even though she earned these degrees, she still views herself as a dropout.

Heavilin eventually ended up teaching the GED programs to inmates in the Indiana State Prison System. Connie encouraged the audience to support Gradway, a program that empowers students to stay in school and earn their high school diploma.

Following Heavilin’s testimony, Brenda Rose led the auction with the help of Jim Brennan who was the emcee for the event.

The community came together to raise over $16,000 to support Gradway students.