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It was a day of celebration for Booth High School’s five graduates as friends, family and teachers filled the school’s chapel to honor their accomplishment. The high school is a part of the Booth Memorial Center in Los Angeles, a foster care group home that helps adolescents ages 12-18 who are pregnant, parenting or victims of emotional or physical abuse.
At one point in their lives, receiving their high school diplomas seemed impossible for these girls. But given the opportunity to succeed through Booth’s program, they completed their education by staying positive, focused and disciplined.
Yuliana, a graduate and parent of twin boys, shared that she was the first person in her family to graduate from high school. “I had to remain positive and block out negativity in order to complete my studies,” she stated. “Now that I have received my diploma, I am going to be studying law enforcement to become a police officer.”
Divisional Commander Lt. Colonel Alfred Van Cleef was thrilled to be a part of the celebration and expressed how proud he was of the graduates.
The Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce recognized Mary Jo, who graduated summa cum laude, for her great achievement by awarding her with the Watts Summer Games Scholarship for $2000.
