“We are extremely pleased with our graduates and all that they’ve achieved,” said Dr. Chaun Johnson, senior principal, Ombudsman Chicago. “For our students, earning a high school diploma is a major milestone and a big step toward future life success.”Ombudsman West student, Ronnesha Whitfield, during her last week at school at Ombudsman’s West Side campus, 2401 W. Congress Pkwy .
“My teachers refused to let me give up again,” said Whitfield. “Because of Ombudsman, I know my worth and I try to push and motivate others so that we can make it out together.”
“I am so thankful for my counselor at Ombudsman, Ms. Kackley,” said Whitfield. “She really helped me work on my resume and cover letter, and as a result, I got the job I applied for!”
Ombudsman West student, Isiah Spann, during his last week at school at Ombudsman’s West Side campus, 2401 W. Congress Pkwy.
After graduation, Ronnesha plans to attend Northern Illinois University or Southern Illinois University and become an Information Technology Software Engineer.
Ronnesha and fellow classmate, Isiah Spann, help motivate each other on a daily basis. Spann, an 18-year-old West Side native, is no stranger to the trials and tribulations many Chicago youth encounter.
“I wasn’t focused on school because of bad influences and street life,” said Spann. “I knew that if I remained at the high school I was at before, I would just become another statistic.”
After becoming a father at age 14, Isiah knew it was imperative to complete his education and serve as a positive role model to his child.
“After coming to Ombudsman, I was able to find a support system to lean on – we have a teen father’s mentoring group every week where we share what we are going through and take advice from one another.”
Much like Isiah, the promise of fatherhood drove 18-year-old Inocencio Lorenzo to get serious about his education. Inocencio’s girlfriend is seven months pregnant, and he knows that that an education is the right path to provide a better life for himself and his family.
For Inocencio, school was not a safe or welcoming environment. He started missing school, and his grades began to suffer. Inocencio realized that his lack of credits would mean another full year of school for him to catch up to his peers, and he eventually gave up and dropped out.
Ombudsman North West student, Inocencio Lorenzo, during his last week at school at Ombudsman’s North West campus, 500 N. Harlem Ave.
He then learned about Ombudsman’s credit recovery program and how, with hard work, he still had the chance to graduate with his class. Inconencio recommitted to earning his diploma and enrolled in Ombudsman.
“I stopped going to school because there were a lot of gangs, and you had to be careful about what you wore and even where you walked inside the school building – Ombudsman is different,” said Lorenzo. “At Ombudsman, coming to school is a positive experience. The teachers genuinely care about you, and they help you to get caught up quickly.”
Lorenzo has his sights set on joining the military after he graduates.
Ombudsman will celebrate these graduates and others during mid-year graduation ceremonies held at each of its three Chicago locations in February. Students who have earned their diploma during the winter semester will be invited to participate in the school’s expanded graduation ceremony in June 2016.