Marizza’s Story: “I felt like a failure”

Marizza thought she’d ruined her life.

But she’d spent most of her senior year in the hospital — and was so far behind that she could no longer see a clear path to graduation.

And so she dropped out.

“After I left school, I felt lost. I know I’m smart enough to graduate, but I didn’t, so I felt like a failure” she said. “I didn’t feel like I could go back to school, so I didn’t think there was any chance for me.”

And then, one day, Marizza got a letter in the mail from NoDropouts, which had partnered with her school district to provide online opportunities for dropouts to return to school.

“All the sudden I had another chance to get my diploma,” Marizza said. “All I needed was that chance and I jumped at it.”

Marizza still spends a lot of time at the hospital, but today she can make better use of her time there. More importantly, she says, she’s proven to herself and others that she isn’t a failure.

“My mom was really supportive — she knew why I left school but she was really pushing hard for me to go back,” Marizza said. “Now she’s really proud of me — and I’m proud of myself, too.”

Do you know a student like Marizza? We can help you help her. Call us at 855-NO-DROPOUTS or e-mail us at info@nodropouts.com