Congratulations Class of 2021 for Going Beyond!
Like never before, our graduates had to go beyond the personal challenges and educational barriers created by the events of this past year to finish the school year strong. For some CIS seniors, they will be the first in their family to graduate. Let’s celebrate their four years of hard work!
THANK YOU
For supporting our seniors and the thousands of students we serve to help them go beyond to reach their dreams.
#CISGoesBeyond
At the beginning of senior year, Jeffrey was having difficulties balancing work and school while trying to support his family as they struggled to make ends meet during the pandemic. He was worried about being able to graduate because of low attendance, however CIS was able to help Jeffrey overcome his challenges, make up missed courses and graduate on time. In addition, CIS connected his family to basic necessities such as food boxes and school supplies.
Through much determination and resilience, Jeffrey graduated from Alief Taylor HS in Alief ISD this past weekend. We are so proud of him for going beyond the challenges of this past year to graduate!
Jeffrey wrote his CIS Student Support Manager, Christine, a letter at the end of the year to thank her for being there for him, “... she is still helping me with grades and college. If it wasn’t for her, I don’t know what I would have done”.
Tere moved to Houston from Mexico by herself four years ago to pursue academic studies. She found herself in a city where the language, community, and culture were drastically different from the one in which she grew up, and turned to CIS for support. CIS at Lone Star College Greenspoint Center helped her join English learning programs, provided academic support, and helped break down any barriers to her success.
After working with CIS for two years, Tere has graduated as an honors student and will be attending The University of Texas - MD Anderson Cancer Center in her pursuit of her Bachelor’s degree, and eventually go on to medical school. We are so proud of Tere’s hard work to get to this point, and grateful CIS was there to walk by her side as she navigates her college career!
“I will always be grateful to Communities In Schools and Miss Nirsi Maravilla for being a key part of my life."
Luis shares his story and how CIS became a second family for him on his journey to graduating.
“My name is Luis. I am from Honduras, and this is my final year in high school. My road has not been easy. When you are an immigrant, and your parents are not with you, everything is harder because you cannot share good or bad moments with them. I was lucky to meet Ms. Ana (with CIS); she is the one who helped me feel better when I was down. She became like a second mother for me here in the school: she helped me with her guidance and by being fully present. She has advocated for me with the soccer coaches when I wanted to play soccer. Being a soccer player for the varsity team has been a great accomplishment, and she has not missed any of my games. This year with work, classes and soccer practice, my life became very busy and stressful. And when things became more difficult, talking with Ms. Ana made me feel as if the heaviness became lighter. I am planning to attend HCC, with the goal of becoming an air conditioning and refrigeration technician. This is my story.”
As a member of a CIS support group for young women, Dee enjoyed being able to get together with peers to talk, laugh, and paint. When COVID closed campuses, the group was postponed and Dee found it difficult to stay positive with all of the uncertainty and loss of existing routines. One thing that kept Dee going was the emotional support from her CIS Student Support Manager at Heights High School in Houston Independent School District. Dee was one of the first students to return for in-person learning last fall, feeling motivated to graduate and overcome any barriers in her way.
Today, Dee enjoys singing and being creative and was happy to participate in the CIS support group virtually this year. Dee was able to go beyond the various setbacks from COVID and life and graduate from high school! We are so proud and can’t wait to see what she will accomplish next.