Rafael Saavedra is wise beyond his twenty years. Rafael is soft spoken but leaves you with a powerful message. Rafael enrolled in Life Skills Centers – Lake Erie in October of 2005 along with his brother.
Rafael started his high school career at Cleveland Central Catholic high school. Rafael’s family faced financial struggles with the tuition and he was enrolled in Horizon Science Academy just in time for his sophomore year. At the end of the year Rafael was again ready to transfer. I asked why? His response was “I wasn’t comfortable with all the teachers.” “Some teachers were cool but the others talked with accents and I couldn’t understand them.” “ It wasn’t good for my academics, I couldn’t learn.”
The Saavedra family wanted Rafael to finish high school but needed a public school option. Rafael decided to attend his local high school, John Marshall. The family was apprehensive about Rafael and his younger brother Erik attending. Rafael told me that several of his cousins had attended Marshall and the Saavedra name had a certain reputation. Rafael also had the support of his uncle, which just happened to be the school’s truancy officer. Despite all efforts, Rafael and Erik both withdrew from Marshall High School.
Life Skills Center of Lake Erie was his Plan B. I asked Rafael what were his expectations of Life Skills? He said, “ To graduate, and get ready for the real world. We need to be prepared.” While attending the school Rafael commented on the differences between traditional public school and Life Skills. He likes knowing his teachers and smaller classes. Does it bother you that you are twenty in high school? “No, I know what I’ve been through in the past. I have a younger brother and I need to model what should be done in order to succeed. There are a lot of negative things on the streets, which can overwhelm you and your loved ones easily. My goal is to not let those things harm us. We both want to succeed.
Rafael is scheduled to graduate in our winter 2007-2008 commencement ceremony. Determined to succeed, Rafael has applied for and won a $9,600 scholarship to the Ohio Business College in Lorain, Ohio. He plans to complete the Medical Office Specialist program.
Rafael’s progress in Life Skills wasn’t always smooth. He has had attendance issues here as well. Rafael was working a job when he enrolled. Rafael became an active participant in his education when he noticed he was falling behind academically. Being responsible, Rafael gave his job two weeks notice and focused more on his schoolwork. Rafael has also participated in a variety of activities: Life Skills Intramural Basketball team, volunteered as a cook for the summer cookouts and has become an activist for immigrant’s rights by attending the International Worker’s Day rally.
We wish him luck in the future and she has promised to stay in touch.
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