Maria's Story: “What I expect from her.”

No one from Maria’s family had ever graduated high school. And for a time, it didn’t seem that anyone ever would.

With no examples to follow — and with the encouragement of her boyfriend, who promised Maria that he would take care of her — the Sunnyside, Wash. teen dropped out of school in her freshman year.

It wasn’t long, though, before the relationship fell apart. “We left each other on a Sunday,” Maria said. “And on Monday I found out I was pregnant.”

Today Maria has reunited with her boyfriend — but she’s no longer willing to leave her future in his hands.

Now re-enrolled in the Sunnyside School District, which partners with NoDropouts to provide educational opportunities for former dropouts and other at-risk students, the 17-year-old teenage mother is a rising star — and on track to graduate on time.

“It fits into my schedule,” Maria said of the program’s flexible learning options. “I get up in the morning before my baby and I’ll sit down in my living room and work for an hour. Then, throughout the day, any time she’s happy and playing by herself, if I can find a few minutes I’m doing my work — a little bit at a time.”

Maria is determined to give her daughter the educational example that she never had.

“I’m going to be the first person in my family to finish high school,” she said. “I want my daughter to see that it is possible — and that it is what I expect from her.”

Is there a Maria in your community? We can help you help her. Call us at 855-NO-DROPOUTS or send an e-mail to info@nodropouts.com