WHY LEAVING HIGH SCHOOL WITH HOPE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

Focus of CofC Forum On Race Relations, Ending Racism

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As a High School Counselor who worked with at-risk kids, I was more concerned with providing HOPE to my students more so than a High School DIPLOMA! Yep, I admit it now that I'm retired. Give a kid reason to be inspired and motivated and believe in themselves, and they will continue to work hard and dream big away from the traditional classroom setting where they grew tired of not achieving acadmeic success and falling behind their friends and peers. As a young person matures after leaving school, WATCH OUT! They have so much to prove to so many. All they needed in school was someone who believed in them and understood that it wasn't totally about what is on their High School transcript.

The piece that is sometimes missing is the inspiration found within and that comes when a person is faced with life challenges not an academic challenge. I have always believed and worked and have been proof of this philosophy. Yes, I worked to get all of my kids a diploma. This was to make everyone happy to include all administration, family members, and of-course, the student. More importantly, I would always watch at the end of my at-risk students' High School years and see for myself if they had developed that little spark. It is that spark that can turn into a flame that will lead them down the path of career and future training and a lifetime of success and happiness.