Anna Andrea Vallejo is extremely proud to have graduated. She was the first in her family to walk across the stage for a high school diploma. Although her parents did not graduate, they were instrumental in Anna being able to complete her high school education. Anna’s mother took care of her baby while she attended school.
“I had a baby, so after that I started going to the Accelerated High School,” said Anna. For the past year and a half, Anna has been a mother by day, taking care of her child, and a student at night, taking classes from 5-9pm Monday through Friday.
Anna was fortunate to have support at home and at school. “It would have been hard if I didn’t have someone to take care of my baby,” said Anna. Her perseverance and her family’s support were the secret to her success. According to Anna, she never was tempted to quit.
Helping her stay motivated were Mrs. Fletcher, her Counselor, Mr. McCullough, her principal, and Mr. Rushing, her night school teacher. “They would encourage me, and they made me feel really good when I passed my TAKS tests,” said Anna.
Not only did Anna pass the TAKS tests and graduate, but she did so under the “recommended” plan. The recommended plan included fine arts and foreign language credits, as well as four years of English and three years of math and science.
“She had a lot to do when she got here,” said Darla Fletcher, Accelerated High School Counselor. “She just kept coming back and had a lot of perseverance. I am so proud of her for working hard and not giving up.”
Anna doesn’t plan on stopping now. She wants to begin taking online classes in psychology or sociology. “I want work with people,” she said.
Anna had some advise to young people facing challenges – “Don’t give up, and don’t let anything get in your way. No matter how hard it gets, you can always find a way through.”
Congratulations, Anna! Brownwood ISD and your family are proud of you.
