This year South Campus (the school I work at) graduated 59 students! These are 59 students with special and often challenging circumstances that brought them to our alternative program. These are 59 students that I am sure would not have graduated through the tradition HS program.
Last Thursday we held our first, and I hope annual, graduate banquet. Each graduate was able to invite 2 people to this dinner held at the Copper Mill Restaurant. It turned out to be a wonderful evening. I am so fortunate to be able to be a part of each students' lives. I wouldn't trade my job for anything!
Kenna - this gal has an amazing personality. She sets a goal and then does what it takes to accomplish it. Kenna wants to be a school teacher!
Aubree - spunky and energetic. She was one of our student speakers at graduation. I am so proud of Aubree, she and her family have overcome so many obstacles and yet they continue to move forward.
Hamilton - Ham was featured as our "spotlight" in the local newspaper. He juggled school, a full time job, a wife and 2 kids under 2. Ham is just a sweet and sincere kind of guy and I am proud of him for making the time for school.
Abram - Abram started his HS career at South Campus. He graduated this year as a junior to everyone's amazement. Abram was stubborn and angry his first 2 years but became an outstanding example of what our program can do. He was one of our speakers.
Our ceremony this year was unique for a variety of reasons, some of which I can't put my finger on, but the atmosphere was different than the last 3 I have attended. It was energetic and emotional and a wonderful celebration of success.
We had the students "march, walk or dance" to Keep Hope Alive by Crystal Method.
It was awesome!
Packed house - at this rate, we'll need a new location.
Gustavo - another great example to his peers. Gustavo's speech was fun and heartfelt. This is not a side of him you see everyday. I was one of the lucky ones.
Joaquin - fun and lovable. One of the few students that was a joy (for me) to see everyday. Worked hard his senior year to catch up on credits.
Nev, our art teacher doing the "Haka" for our finale. All our students seemed to have fun and it was a great ending to a great graduation.
For those of you that don't know, the district is considering integrating the alternative program back into the High School in the year 2012. They have many "reasons" for doing this but not one of them makes sense to those that work with these students and their families on a daily basis. None of us fear for our jobs, as we will likely just be moved up to the HS to take on other classes and responsibilities. We do however fear for the kids. We fear for their success, we fear for their esteem, we fear they will once again become lost in the very system that deemed them failures and outcasts in the first place. My hope is that those making these decisions will come to their senses and see the value in what this program does.
A colleague of mine said it best, "On any given day, it's hard to know who will show up for class. But, when they do, they are met by a staff of teachers, counselors and a secretary that cares for them. They hear from every adult in the building... You can succeed. We care about you, get to school and do what you can to graduate. We know about their personal lives. We can tell when they are having a rough time and reach out to help them. The initial challenge is to help them believe in themselves and their ability to succeed when they have failed so many times before. If we can get a glimmer of hope or a spark of interest in anything, we can engage them in the learning process. After that, a small success builds their willingness to become a more active participant in working." "We have created a school culture, a mission and a tradition in the community." "How can we now tell students consistently that you can overcome obstacles in your life and finish school, when we aren't sure we have a school for them?"
And now I wait for tomorrow. My daughter, Jill, will graduate from that "mother" school. Looking forward to a different kind of celebration... solemn and reflective? Nope, we are going to party like it's 1999!
