Though Ms. Lacen only began her journey with us in March, her influence has been nothing short of transformative. In the short span of her tenure, she has touched the lives of countless North Garland students, breathing life into her role as the Recovery Specialist Liaison with Student Services. While her primary mandate was to address the 90% attendance and loss of credit challenges and extend a helping hand to our at-risk students, her accomplishments go far beyond her job description.

Cadeal has not just performed her duties but embraced them with unparalleled passion. She has become a beacon of hope for many, a guiding light for those who felt lost. We initially believed she would be an asset in navigating the administrative challenges of attendance and credit recovery. But as days turned into weeks, we realized Ms. Lacen was destined for much more. She has become a pillar of support, a confidante, and a mentor to many.

 "From Day ONE on our campus, she jumped in and started learning the data systems and calling kids down, going to classes, meeting students in the halls, and visiting homes when a student was not attending," said co-worker Kelly Bowman. 

Within weeks, students eagerly sought Cadeal for check-ins. Their participation in tutorials increased, and petition return rates soared from under 25% to 51%. To illustrate, over 20,000 grades across 2,374 courses were impacted. Cadeal's profound influence during the spring semester is evident through her relationship-building with students and families.

Several impacted seniors still had EOC requirements. Cadeal's after-school tutoring helped him complete a project, enabling him to graduate in May. Another student, initially unresponsive, was reached through Cadeal's efforts. He finished two projects and graduated in August.

Kelly Bollman concludes, "Without her direct intervention, these students would have a different reality. I cannot say how grateful I am for Cadeal's professionalism and assistance. She is a difference maker!"