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Apalachee High School senior Diego Martinez-Arevalo is hopeful for the future. He has made tremendous efforts to be where he is today. Over the course of his high school career, he has had some difficulties but has persevered and now has a solid plan for his future. Diego will be the first to tell you that high school is not his favorite place to be, but he has found his passion through his diploma path.
Early in his junior year, Diego had some reservations about continuing with his high school career. The traditional academic classroom was never a place where he felt quite comfortable. He and Mr. Dean, the Graduation Specialist for Apalachee, had some conversations about where Diego wanted to go with his future. Diego said he was interested in welding and wanted to take classes where he was able to move around and use his hands. Mr. Dean suggested that an Accelerated Career diploma track might be something that would benefit Diego. Diego jumped on that opportunity and has not looked back since.
By making the choice to pursue an Accelerated Career diploma, Diego also got the opportunity to participate in the construction classes at SIMS Academy during the second semester of his junior year. Mr. Gordon’s classes at SIMS gave him the opportunity to move around and learn some of the basics of construction. These classes were a great segue to the welding classes he would take his senior year.
At Lanier Tech, Diego has hit his stride. He achieved some high marks in the first semester of his classes there and is doing great this semester. He plans to continue with welding as he leaves high school and is considering pursuing some additional welding certifications at Lanier Tech. Diego has made some tremendous progress over the course of his high school career and has a fantastic future ahead of him after he graduates.
We are proud of our students who are on the “Grad Track.” A Grad Track student has either failed one or more academic classes and/or is behind in credits needed for graduation with their cohort class. Graduation Specialists at all three Barrow County School System (BCSS) high schools support students who meet these qualifications.