Today’s post comes from Communities In Schools Publications Director Maureen Salamat.
When my son was very young, he would offer unfiltered commentary on life as he knew it, no matter what the occasion. Things like “Who would have thought a boring mom would turn out to be so funny?” when I shared an anecdote about my day. Or “Does everyone have to grow up? I want to stay a kid forever,” when we talked about how people sometimes live away from home at “that school for grown-ups” (aka college).
Of course now that my son is in high school, college is on our minds more than ever. And, happily, it’s a reality for many students in the Communities In Schools network. Talitha Halley is one young lady who exemplifies so many of the students we work with. Last week, Talitha – who was featured in a success story last year – sent us her high school graduation announcement. Talitha began her incredible journey in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina, when her family relocated to Houston from New Orleans. Wrenched from childhood friends and everything she knew, Talitha was shaken but determined to move forward with her life as an 8th grader in Houston.
