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HCCTS Student Success Stories

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Current and former students of Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools programs tell their stories of overcoming adversity and how HCCTS inspired change in their lives and families.

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Highlands was created to serve the underserved to impact communities in Sacramento the Bay Area and throughout the state. This is an opportunity for us to partner together in an effort to serve those who aren't served as well by the overall system. Having grown up in one of those environments in the city of Oakland and serving students throughout the state in a myriad of roles from Principal to Associate Superintendent it's my passion and commitment to always serve those communities. My name is Richard Andrade. My name is Rodney Pope. Antionette Stewart My name is Linda Aviluz. Sixteen years ago I was a drop out and I wasn't able to get my high school diploma with my class because my son's father got murdered. I just came home from doing 25 years in prison. I've been working in the laundry for five years so I really I don't like that job so I that's why I get enrolled on Highlands. Without Highlands I would probably be living on someone's couch somewhere completely lazy not doing a dang thing. Highlands is Hope. 25 years ago I had no hope. I had no hope of succeeding. My only thoughts were running the yard, playing basketball and things of that nature. Education was not a part of my life, not a part of my thoughts. Because of Highlands it gave my daughter the feeling that she's seen her father the happiest that he's ever been in his life. I know a few people who are still doing time right now. They know that if I can do it they can do it. Highlands is Opportunity. Highlands has given me the opportunity to to better myself all the way around the board. I'm striving now to get my diploma rather than the GED. A "Good Enough Degree" is what I call it. I decided to go back to school to show my kids it's never too late. Finish what you start. To be able to walk the stage knowing that I was finally holding my high school diploma in the same year that my daughter is going to graduate... 16 years later I decide to come back to school and didn't let me being pregnant stop me getting that diploma. Highlands is Change. I wake up every morning going to a job that I love. I'm able to pay my rent. I'm able to... live my life the best way I know how you know... and that's happy. [Highlands] ensured my success by giving me a great job doing warehouse. I'm able to get my kids know whatever they want whatever they need. Now I have a better job. A good pay. My kids always keeping asking me mom probably we can buy a house. Highlands has impacted the change in my family because it's shown my kids that no matter what you go through in life that you can never give up. They're very proud of me so they say "mom, you're very old to be a medical assistant." I said "no, no, no, I need to get out more I need to go more up so probably next time I'm going to be a registered nurse. If it's your goal to succeed; if it's your goal to prove others wrong, including yourself; if it's your goal to do everything that you want to do in your life... come to Highlands. We got something for you.

Uploaded by Jerry Yamashita.

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