The Willow Glen Resident

New Glen high school grads head for 'reality'

Schools take pride in students' college acceptances and low drop-out rates

By Christine Frey

"Truly every one of us here has a piece in this graduation," Susan Votaw, principal of Broadway High School, said to the crowd gathered for commencement services June 10. "But the students, being here tonight, are the ones who accomplished their goal."

In royal blue caps and gowns, these students celebrated their accomplishments of the past four years: Many earned diplomas while conquering drug and alcohol addictions, raising children or boosting failing grades.

"They really realize how much they've had to overcome to make this happen," said school counselor Cary Reyes.

Students at Willow Glen and Presentation high schools also rejoiced at their graduations--on June 12 and June 6, respectively--and looked to the future with excitement and some trepidation.

Willow Glen graduate Melanie Juarez, who will attend San Jose City College in the fall, said she was intimidated by the changes in her life. "It's reality now. It's life now," she said. "We always had people to guide us through. We're on our own now."

For Presentation graduate Diane Menuz, headed for Williams College in September, leaving high school has been "surreal." She added, "I don't think it's really hit me yet."

Menuz is not unlike many of her classmates; according to school officials, 99 percent of Presentation's graduating class will attend college. Of those 144 students, 83 percent will attend four-year institutions and 17 percent will enroll in two-year community colleges.

"They're just outstanding," says Susan Mickacich, the school's college counselor. "Every year they're getting accepted to more and more prestigious schools."

Presentation is not the only school to see such success. Reyes said the size of Broadway's graduating class is growing each year due to a lower drop-out rate. The students' ability to deal with the difficulties of high school rather than succumbing to them makes graduation such an accomplishment, she said.

Broadway's 80 graduates received diplomas from a variety of educational programs: Broadway; the G.E.D. program; Liberty High School, an independent studies program; the Career, Employment and Training vocational program; and Crossroads, a substance abuse program.

Of the 55 Broadway graduates and G.E.D. recipients, 30 percent will attend a community college, 20 percent will enroll in a vocational program, 10 percent will join the military, and 40 percent will work to earn money for college, school officials said.

Andrea Sanchez, one of the six student speakers at Broadway's commencement, said that Broadway's Young Families Program, which provided day care for her son, enabled her to stay in school.

"One might think a continuation school is below par or not a real high school," she said. "Broadway is a second chance."

In the fall, Sanchez will attend San Jose City College with a $300 scholarship. Her grandfather, Jack Christian, said he was amazed by her success. He said Broadway staff members restore confidence in their students and give them a sense of self-worth.

"They pick them up and make them real people again," he said, then added, gazing at the graduation scene, "There's nothing like this. There's just not enough you can say about this."

At Willow Glen High School, diplomas were given to 164 Willow Glen seniors and 29 students who were enrolled in independent studies or Project Advance, a step-to-college program involving classes at San Jose City College. School officials said they did not know how many graduates will attend college.

At the school's senior brunch, two days before graduation, Willow Glen senior Hernan Montes said, "It's about time."

His classmate Jose Parra chimes in: "It's been a hard four years."

For some students, such as Liberty High School graduate William Mercado, there are still more problems to solve.

"In my heart, I know that along with every graduate here today, we can make this a better place to live in," he said to his classmates during the Broadway graduation ceremonies. "So let's go out there and conquer the problems of the world and overcome every obstacle blocking our path toward success. Because, after all, we have made it this far. Why not go the rest of the way? So let's go out there and show them what we are made of."

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