The Community of a High School Drop Out

Original Draft

A community is group of people having particular characteristic or certain interests in common. The community of high school dropouts is made of different types of students, each with a different story as to why they choose that path. As stated by http://www.willamette.edu/, “When analyzing the impact of the high school dropout rate on a community, one should examine other potential resultant indicators such as unemployment rate, drug use rates, crime rates (particularly among teens), teen pregnancy rates and poverty in the community”. My mother, Elizabeth says that, “Twenty-six years ago it was hard to be accepted by the community as a pregnant high school dropout and today more students are offered special programs and are more accepted by their community.” Dropouts are more accepted in todays society because of the community’s support and programs to help them succeed and get their lives back on track.

Today there are many programs that help dropouts get back into school and eager to learn. One particular program that is offered at Everett Community College is called Youth Re- Engagement. Youth Re-Engagement is a free program and only for teenagers between the ages of 16-21 who have dropped out from a traditional high school. The teachers help students get their high school diploma plus aid their developing skills for a better career. Elizabeth informs me that, “There was nothing like this when I was younger and if there was I would have totally taken the opportunity to be apart of it.” Just like my mother I too was a high school dropout and because of all the support I had I was fortunate enough to be in the Youth Re-Engagement program. It helped me better myself and gave me the chance to be a successful student, something I wasn’t in high school.



Revised

A community is group of people having particular characteristics or certain interests in common. The community of high school dropouts is made of different types of students, each with a different story as to why they choose that path. Many dropouts feel shameful or disappointed in themselves for the mistakes that lead them to make the decision to leave school. My mother Elizabeth became unexpectedly pregnant at an early age and was forced to begin a life without a full education. She states that “Twenty-six years ago it was hard to be accepted by the community as a pregnant high school dropout and today more students are offered special programs and are more accepted by their community.” Being in a similar position as my mother, yet living in a different decade, I was able to experience a different path than those who left high school before me. Dropouts are more accepted in today’s society because of the community’s support and programs to help them succeed and get their lives back on track. The public’s response to the youth who leave high school has changed the community for the better.

Today there are many programs that help dropouts get back into school and eager to learn. One particular program that is offered at Everett Community College is called Youth Re- Engagement. Youth Re-Engagement is a free program and only for teenagers between the ages of 16-21 who have dropped out from a traditional high school. The teachers help students get their high school diploma plus aid their developing skills for a better career. Elizabeth informs me that “There was nothing like this when I was younger and if there was I would have totally taken the opportunity to be a part of it.” Just like my mother I too was a high school dropout and due to the support I had I was fortunate enough to be in the Youth Re-Engagement program. It helped me better myself and gave me the chance to be a successful student, something I wasn’t in high school. The option for those who drop out of high school to reenter and graduate with a diploma gives hope to those who want a second chance at the mistakes they have made. It has helped improve their lives for the better.