|
José Cespedes—Southwest Valedictorian
 Taught by his mother to believe in himself, José Cespedes has believed all the way to becoming the Valedictorian for Covent House Academy Southwest, and the University of Michigan-Dearborn Opportunity Scholarship winner, an award that gives him a full ride for his dual major: pre-med and video game design.
“Since I came to Covenant House, they have given me an opportunity to get my high school diploma so that I can go to college,” he says. But not everyone believed. One teacher had told him he might want to set his sights more realistically by applying to community college and José thought, “Just watch, lady. Watch me prove myself.”
José worked hard, had good ACT scores, and Covenant House helped him file for scholarships, even putting in a good word for him with the admissions office. He did not know what scholarship he would get, but he believed that he would get one. “It’s taken a lot of work, so I thought that I deserved one,” he explains. “I could have given up. I don’t know where I’d be if I’d given up. My momma taught me that if you don’t believe in yourself, then who will?”
Congratulations Jose, you are a living example of what belief can do! |
|
Congratulations to this year’s salutatorian, Robert Moore. Moore is graduating from Covenant House Academy-Central and is very proud of what he has accomplished in the few months he has been enrolled. Before he came to the academy, Moore attended Frank Cody High School in Detroit. After he heard about the credit recovery program Covenant House Academies were offering, Moore left his high school.
At his old school, Moore felt they were not focusing enough on the core classes students need. Instead they were focusing on extra-curricular classes. Since the teachers did not seem to care about the student’s individual needs, Moore began to fall behind in his credits and was told that he would not graduate on time. That was not something he wanted to hear, so Moore decided to make a change.
Now, Moore is graduating months earlier than his old high school had advised he would. He has enjoyed his time at the Central school and admits that it is a great program. “There were some hard classes, but the harder you work the faster you get done,” said Moore.
His favorite subject was English. His teacher, Sheila Voorheis, helped him to understand the subject better than any other teacher had. When she taught certain topics that Moore had trouble understanding, he said she would tell him, “You already know what it is; you just have to learn it.” This allowed Moore to feel comfortable and work to master the subject.
Although Ms. Voorheis helped him out when he needed it, Moore admits he does not have one favorite teacher. He thought they were all great and although they had different teaching styles they each helped him learn.
Now that Moore has completed high school, he plans to move to Dallas, TX to obtain a doctorate degree in Psychology. Moore grew up in Dallas so he is hoping to find a great college there that will allow him to continue to succeed and live out his dream.
The most important thing Moore took away from attending Covenant House Academy-Central is that one can “accomplish anything.”
This Friday, June 17 at 6p.m. these bright young men’s speeches will be delivered to friends, families, classmates and staff members. Robert Moore is currently working out of town, so he will have his speech read by Bryan Childress. The graduation will be located on Covenant House Michigan’s campus. It honors all of the students that have worked hard throughout the years in spite of the problems they had to overcome. |
|
CHA Central Valedictorian |
 |
 |
 |
 “I’m a shy guy, I don’t want to make a speech,” said Anthony Pressley, an 18-year-old graduating senior of Covenant Academy Central. This shy young man will have to overcome his fears however, as he is this year’s Valedictorian.
Anthony came to Covenant Academy because he had moved out of the district of his old school, Robichaud High School. “I was tired,” he said when asked why he didn’t transfer. A friend told him about Covenant Academies and encouraged him to check the schools out. Anthony also credits his girlfriend with motivating him to go back to school and to graduate.
Officially enrolling in February, Anthony quickly finished his remaining credits. “I had to make up classes because some of my classes didn’t count from my old high school,” he said. His favorite class here was Pre-Algebra because, “I just clicked with it and I got it.” His favorite teacher was Mr. Saddler, saying “He always motivates me to graduate. He told me I was going to get it done.”
When not in school, Anthony enjoys playing sports, especially basketball and football. At his former high school, he played on the basketball team and was captain. He also enjoys going out to eat, especially at any restaurant that serves chicken or spaghetti, his favorite foods.
While nervous about his speech, Anthony is planning and thinking about what he will say. He plans to include stories about how Covenant Academies helped him get on track. His family is very excited and proud of him for becoming Valedictorian, “More than me,” he says.
After graduation, Anthony plans to put his math strengths to work. He will attend either Wayne State University or Wayne County Community College to study business. He hopes to one day become a stockbroker.
Anthony had this to say to other students who might be struggling: “Keep your head up, don’t give up. Whatever motivates you, just go with it.” We can all look forward to this young man’s speech on June 17! |
 Ieshia Stephens, 19, is CHA East’s Valedictorian. She worked so hard to graduate, and all of her hard work paid off. Being honored as Valedictorian was an honor she never expected. She has been working for three years toward this goal, and has persevered despite having three children, a three-year-old boy, and twin one-year-old girls. She works part-time at St. John Hospital in Housekeeping, and plans to attend Wayne County Community College part-time in the fall. Her goal is to get a degree in broadcast journalism and be a TV reporter in the future. Her advice to other young people who have yet to complete the requirements for their diploma is to “never give up if you have set-backs. Just keep working at it.” Good advice and wisdom from a top student who never intended to be the Valedictorian!
Ieshia likes to spend time playing outside with her children when she isn’t working or at school.
|
|
 Timpriss and her family moved so often that she and her siblings would frequently have to change schools, because of this she felt the need to change to an alternative school. So in July 2010 she enrolled at Covenant House Academies. Finishing high school is very important to Timpriss; she plans on attending college and becoming a physical therapist. Timpriss admits that math is not her strongest subject. Yet with the help of her teacher Ms. MacKawee she is able to get the help she needs in order to understand the subject. Timpriss feels that Ms. MacKawee breaks math down for her in a way that is more understandable and is always there to help students. One of Timpriss' favorite aspects of Covenant House Academies is being able to work at her own pace. She appreciates the opportunity to work on her own and takes advantage of the one on one time teachers are able to provide for the students. As for Timpriss’ plans for the future, she sees herself attending college and becoming independent.
|
|
 Briana started high school as your average student; she attended Southeastern High from 9th to the 11th grade. Although a capable student, Briana admitted she was not focused in school, she was very distracted by her friends and social life.
During her sophomore year, Briana found herself pregnant with her daughter. She began to miss school and get behind, and things became overwhelming for the teenage mother. Trying to keep up, she attended night school, but Briana felt she wasn’t getting the academic support she needed. It was then that her sister, who previously attended CHM Academies after her pregnancy, referred her to the program.
Now Briana is getting the help she needs to do well. She is a junior and doesn’t have long to go. She sometimes has a hard time finding care for her daughter while in school, but she’s determined not to let that stop her. “My family, especially my dad, expects more of me and I don’t want to let them down. I want them to be proud of me,” she said. After graduation Briana wants to be a cosmetologist, own a hair salon, or be a teacher. |
|
 Thomas came to Covenant House Academies after the Lifeskills school shutdown. He came ready to finish school and move on to the next phase of his life. Thomas feels that the difference between Covenant House Academies and other schools is the ability to work at your own pace. Thomas knows where he stands in terms of his personal achievements at Covenant House Academies. Knowing his personal progress levels allows him to excel where he feels comfortable and ask for one on one help where he may need help. After Thomas graduates in January 2011 he plans to attend trade school, and wants to become a sports talk radio personality.
|
|
Due to Charmayne’s lack of credits and desire to graduate, she dropped out of her previous high school feeling that school was just not meant for her. Soon Charmayne had a change of heart. After being out of school, she felt that she needed one more chance to get back on the right path. She enrolled at Covenant House Academies and quickly came to the realization that in order for her to graduate she needed to focus on herself and her goals. Charmayne felt that too many times she allowed people to get into her head and distract her from her studies, now she has a new outlook and keeps herself focused. She knows that success at Covenant House Academies is all about your attitude toward learning, the ones who are focused and have a desire to achieve can and will. Charmayne plans to stay focused and attend college after graduating. |
|
 Dominique was on the path to getting his diploma prior to attending Covenant House Academies; due to lack of availability of night classes he was sent off track and could not graduate from his former school. At this point Dominique came to Covenant House Academies where he had a difficult time adjusting to a new school and decided to leave. After leaving Covenant House, Dominique came to the realization that if he wanted to achieve his goals he needed to focus and make an effort to adapt to his new surroundings. He decided to return to Covenant House Academies and put forth the effort needed to succeed. Now Dominique is graduating in January 2011, he is enrolled at Oakland Community College and looks forward to studying graphic design and photography. Dominique feels that had he not come to Covenant House Academies he would not have put forth the commitment and effort needed to graduate and achieve his goals.
|
|
Running with the wrong crowd kept Michael Poston in trouble. He dropped out of school and was headed down the wrong path. When Posten decided that he wanted to more with his life, he enrolled in Covenant House Academies – East. “My family doesn’t have a very high level of education. Now, I feel like I am going to accomplish something in my immediate family when I get my high school diploma.” What Posten enjoys the most about being in school is the help he gets. “I get a lot of assistance; the staff is very helpful for me. I have learned that if you get on the right track, the doors will open for you.
Now, after graduation in December 2011, Posten is planning to either go to the Air Force or become a massage therapist. “I feel like I have a chance to have a better life, I can complete what I started which is getting my high school diploma. I wasn’t focused, I was being influenced.”
|
|
At 17 years old, Christina Browder enrolled in Covenant House Academies to increase her credits. She had fallen behind and wanted to catch up. When she enrolled, Browder had credits as though she were a freshman, now one year later, she is back on track with plans to graduate next year. “I have gained a lot of maturity since being here,” she said. “Before coming here I focused on other things and not on school. I couldn’t handle situations very good, I was very petty and immature, but I have grown a lot now.” What she likes most is the environment – being able to complete her classes where she’s getting the needed support.
“Here it’s friendly and everyone knows each other. We all want to see each other graduate and help one another. And the staff has helped me when I have had some problems. It’s nice to have that support – even when the problems were about stuff at home.”
|
|
 When Janette’s foster parents kicked her out in February, she didn’t have a place to live. She moved to Detroit from Inkster to find her biological father. Her credits were behind in school and she had already decided not to finish. But she heard about Covenant House Academies and decided to enroll.
“I am becoming a stronger person here,” she said. I gave up, but coming here shows me that I have a chance at life – it’s not over for me.” With a new lease on life, Janette, plans to enroll in college to become a social worker. She will graduate in 2011 and she has reunited with her biological father. “I really do have a chance – that’s what this has shown me.”
|
|
 With both parents being high school drop outs, Kyra faced a lot of pressure to finish school. The pressure, mixed with her not getting what she needed before lead Kyra to enroll at Covenant House Academies.
“I didn’t feel like the teachers cared so I stopped caring,” she said. “But I am getting my classes done here, and I graduate in August.”
After hearing about Covenant House Academies through a former teacher, Kyra enrolled. Now she is excelling and on her way to being a high school graduate. Already, Kyra has applied to college and is awaiting an acceptance letter. Her plans are to major in Business Management and Global Supply Marketing. She will open a hair salon for people who are losing their hair due to alopecia, leukemia or any other disease.
“I don’t like to see people like that; I like to see people happy.”
|
|
 At 20 years old Cesar Becerra chose to complete his high school diploma. “I was being lazy, skipping classes and not putting forth an effort. But here, you can work at your own pace and I realize that I do have to put forth the effort. The opportunity for me to succeed is not given to me. Next fall when he graduates from high school, Cesar is going to enroll in college to become a physical therapist. “I want to succeed in life; I want to better myself, that’s why I am here.”
|
|
 Sharday Johnson is 18 years old and found hope at Covenant House Academies. She had dropped out of school and gave up on completing her education. But she heard about Covenant House Academies and wanted to give it another shot. “Since being here, I decided that I really want to make it. I really want to make something of myself. Before I was being lazy, but now I am pushing myself to do better.”
When she graduates next fall, she plans to either become a police officer or prison guard. “In other schools, I had the chance to be lazy, but the teachers here help me to see that I have a different choice and I cannot succeed without my education.”
|
|
