For some students, the traditional path through high school isn’t the right fit. The Journey Program at Moraine Park Technical College offers another way forward—one that combines education, career preparation and hands-on experiences with the support students need to keep moving toward their goals.
For graduates Allen Kizewski and Gretta Hanna, the Journey Program became more than a path to completing their high school education. It gave them the confidence to think differently about their futures and the motivation to pursue what’s next.
Kizewski left high school after being offered a job. At the time, going to work seemed like the right choice. But returning to school through the Journey Program gave him an opportunity to reconsider what he wanted for his future.
“Coming back and completing the Journey program forced me to grow up. I realized I needed to push for stuff I wanted to happen in life,” Kizewski said. “Looking back, I’m most proud of how I showed up for myself.”
The support he received also motivated him to become a source of encouragement for the people around him. Inspired by Beth Redeker, the Journey Program Lead and instructor at Moraine Park, who motivated him along the way, Kizewski began encouraging his friends to pursue their own goals.
For Hanna, the Journey Program was a path she had already seen work for someone close to her. Her older brother completed the program, and seeing the impact it had on him helped Hanna decide to follow the same path.
The program gave her the opportunity to continue her education while also helping her think about what she wanted professionally.
“Journey helped me grow professionally by being able to get my education,” Hanna said. “It motivated me to chase my dreams and continue to strive for what I want.”
Today, Hanna works at an ear, nose and throat clinic, where she manages CPAP supplies and equipment and teaches patients how to properly use their machines. Her Journey Program experience helped her recognize that completing one goal could open the door to many more.
“I’m proud of completing the program and knowing that I did it,” Hanna said. “There is nothing stopping me from doing what I want.”
A Different Path to Graduation
The Journey Program is designed specifically for current high school students who are looking for a flexible and supportive path to graduation and career readiness. Students build academic and employability skills, explore career options and develop meaningful connections while working toward a Wisconsin High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED).
Students complete coursework in areas including language arts, social studies, science, math, health, civics, career awareness, employability skills and personal finance. They also gain real-world experience through work or volunteer activities.
For students like Kizewski and Hanna, the experience is about more than completing coursework. It is about discovering what they are capable of and realizing that their next chapter is theirs to shape.
For current high school students who may be looking for a different path, Journey can be the beginning of that next chapter. Learn more about the Journey Program at Moraine Park.