Maryland — Reco Williams is an October 2007 graduate of the Howard Community College NEDP program and was a speaker at the diploma recognition exercises. She is the mother of seven children, six daughters and one son. Although Reco was caring for her large family, she always came to the NEDP office calm and organized. During the time she worked on her high school diploma, Reco maintained a full-time job, planning menus and cooking meals as the kitchen manager of a child care center. Reco is a strong role model for her children. Her words and actions reflect what she believes in: having dreams and goals, achieving them through hard work, and assuming personal responsibility. She places a high value on education in her family. After completing this program Reco was able to enroll in Strayer College where she is now working toward a business management degree.