| Testimonials & Back Stories |
Senior Back Stories
Present: I have been at OCS for 6 years now and I can pursue. I am happy that I can read. I always raise my hand and answer questions. I used to be shy and did not have any friends; it was because I didn't want anyone to find out that I had a disability. Then a teacher came to our school and taught me how to read. It was a life changing moment. I began to make friends with my classmates. I am really lucky to have a family like OCS. No one would ever believe what type of family OCS is, the staff are people that I go to for advice. I don't only go to them for help with my school work I also go to them for help with my personal problems. It's really crazy that I'm not the only one that goes to them for help but my mom goes to them too. She knows how much they care about me. OCS had made me become the person I am today. Future: I am about to graduate. I am so happy that I have come a long way from where I was a few short years ago. I am really proud of myself. I'm not sure what I want to do when I grow up but I know whatever it is that I am going to be I'm going to be successful at it because of all I have learned at OCS. -Amanda
Present: Despite this experience, I have moved on and finally got out of my house. I am doing what I have to do and as a result I am about to graduate high school. At OCS I have a lot of students and teachers that I can relate to. Many of the students have similar problems, so I feel more comfortable. People don't always have the time to get to know me; they judge me by the way I look. I would never thought that day would happen where I would be a parent, but recently I became a father to a son that I will always take care of and love. His birth has changed my life in a good way, he makes me a better person. Now I feel I could make up from the mistakes I made, I will do right by him. Future: Next year I want to work and take care of my son because he means the world to me. I really don't have a vision of where I am going to be years from now. However, I know that I will grow up to be a successful man and father. -Chris
Present: Now, I'm feeling alright about doing my homework, I am attending classes and giving my work a lot of effort. I am working hard, staying quiet in class and studying for all my tests. I don't want my parents to worry about me. I want them to see me walk for graduation. So I am finishing my work and studying hard for my tests. I want my parents to be proud of me. Future: I want to complete high school an get my diploma. Then I want to go to college. This will help me get a good job so when I have a family I can support them. -Eddie
Present: Currently, my adventure leaves me in a tropical region because although I'm relaxing near the finish line I know it's necessary that I remain consistent to become successful. Throughout my last four years of high school I've learned that I thrive from the idea of a challenge. Mu pride and ego motivates me to achieve the things that might seem impossible. In other words, I remain open-minded because potential and persistence brings prosperity. Future: In my future, I see myself in a cold region with autumn-like weather. While, usually people are reluctant to cold weather I'll be in the mist of it absorbing the fresh-air of life. I reminisce on my past. unappreciative always yearning for more, however now is my time to shine and be infatuated with all that's mine. Growing up my mom would call me greedy, but now getting older I realize it's my superego and megalomaniac mentality that will make me successful. Thus, there isn't a limit to success so I just believe so that my thoughts can propel my actions. -Aaron
Future: I feel like I have a bright future, because I know what I want in life. I've read and heard about people with big dreams like me and they made them come true. I know that if I put my mind to whatever I want to so, my goals will be reached. Right now my main goal is to pass the English Regents. After high school I plan to attend college and then medical school to become an obstetrician. Finally, I want to have a beautiful family and be a great mother to my kids. -Hawa Testimonials
"This school has done a lot for me over the last three years and I think I have changed for the better. I think the school has helped me get more into school. When I first came to the school in 7th grade, I started getting Honor Roll and becoming a Positive Peer, things that had never happened to me in my other school. I never had good first report cards and they were always just okay. I also keep my mother’s memory in my mind because I want to make her proud. When I used to have problems with my parents, the school helped me work them out. They would have meetings with me, my father and teachers to try and help me and my father get along better. My father is my best friend now. I also used to have a lot of fights in school but here, I don’t have problems with anybody. I feel safe at this school and I have good relationships with people in this school. I feel like people treat me well because people recognize my good behavior and I get rewarded for it." -Tania O.. 12th grade
"In my old schools, kids would always fight and no one would break it up. There were no teachers in the hallway or outside. At OCS when you have a fight they break it up and restrain you and talk to you. At OCS you learn better. I have really gotten better at math, it’s fun! I can pay attention more because there aren’t that many kids. I like my teachers, they’re fun, funny and they support you with other kids. I get along with the kids here. I hope to graduate from OCS High School and go to college." -Davonte R., 9th grade
"The Opportunity Charter School has done many things for me over these last three years. I came from a school that did not care for my education. I had to suffer, not understanding what I was doing. When I came to OCS they helped me. I have been on Honor Roll ever since I came. My parents are very proud of me and I am proud to be an OCS student." -Alzaouza K., 12th grade
-Lorie G., mother of Kevin G., 11th grade
-Vanessa H., mother of Keith H., 11th grade |
Past: I live with my two brothers and my mother. They don't allow me to do much. I knit it is because they love me. Growing up, I always felt weird in school; people didn't know it was because I wouldn't read. I felt dumb and never wanted to read aloud when the teacher celled on me. I always refused to read aloud but they didn't care, they didn't understand how bad I felt. I was quite; I didn't want to be noticed. I felt broken.
Past: Most young men have trouble when a new man moves into their house. My situation was a little extreme, my stepfather is extreme. He started to put his hands on me when I was very young. Since the very first time he did this I was angry. I felt like there was nothing I could do. Everyday I would go to school and everyone would ask me about the marks on my face. I told the truth but nothing would ever happen to him. As I got older the beatings got worse, he would get even louder because I would fight back. I was failing in school. It wasn't because I didn't understand the work, I just had so much going in in my mind. I couldn't concentrate. I would act out and fight because I had to release my anger.
Past: I have always had trouble doing my work. It has always been hard for me to understand doing the work. It has also been hard to stay out of trouble. These things have made my school experience a very hard one.
Past: My high school career, like a roller-coaster, traveling through regions of the world, the changes of people , surroundings, and even myself has transformed over my last four years of high school. I started off extremely arrogant because of my rigorously academic middle school, KIPP, made me very eager to start high school. Ironically, the twist to school shocked me when I arrived. Academics never worried me however, social status, or "popularity" was extremely important at the time. As a result, I did well in school because of my intelligence, however I didn't excel because it is impossible to operate efficiently if you aren't completely focused.
Present: I have passed six Regents Exams and I have all the credits required to graduate. However I still need to pass my English Regents. English is my third language, and dose not come easily to me. I have been getting a lot of help from my English teacher. I get extra help in a small group setting at school and study at home. Throughout my whole life I've never worked harder on anything than my English Regents. I have always been a good student academically, getting good grades and making the honor roll. Passing the English Regents has been a real challenge for me. I am used to passing my tests and this had become a real obstacle for me. I am frustrated and worried. OCS has become my partner in passing this exam. I feel I am not alone. Sometimes I wish I could talk to my Grandfather. I am nervous I won't be able to graduate, even though I have fulfilled all my other requirements. I lie awake at night worrying; I feel the Regents don't represent my intelligence.
