School helps self-starter graduate

Keisha Slocum is able to reach her goal of graduating before she turns
18 through Life Skills Center of Cincinnati.

Slocum, who entered the school in February in hopes of graduating early,
is expecting to graduate in January, an amazing feat considering she
works at her home and has been living on her own after undergoing family
problems.

The 17-year-old Cincinnati resident has always been interested in
academics.

After sixth grade, she said teachers were so impressed by her academic
achievement that she skipped the seventh and eighth grades.

Slocum said she's impressed by the individual attention offered by
teachers at Life Skills Center of Cincinnati.

"You can have more one-on-one time with teachers there," Slocum said.
"They help you more there."

Master teacher Rebecca Smith says the student meets with her weekly to
discuss her academics.

"She was the one who pushed herself for her diploma and would call on me
for advice," Smith said. "Most would give up after what she's gone
through, but she really stuck with it."

After graduating, Slocum wants to enter hair stylist school and
eventually wants to pursue law school.