Former Bloom Students Return to Graduate In 13th Year Program

Pomp and Circumstances was playing at Bloom High School auditorium. It was a graduation, but not your typical graduation. Five students, Luis Magana, Shantoria Route Ragland, Corneisha Robinson and David Veliz all from Chicago Heights along with Denneijha Williams from Sauk Village returned to high school and received their Bloom High School Diploma.

Sheva Franklin who was the graduation coach for the returning students hugged the graduates as she helped put on their caps and gowns.

“This has been a whirlwind experience” Franklin said. “A lot of challenges throughout the time of coming in. It was difficult for them because you have to keep in mind that these students moved on. Some of them had responsibilities tugging at them such as a full- time job or have started a family or had to endure additional responsibilities not being able to complete the initial phase of graduation. We had to look at them as young adults not just youth. They were no longer youth. We had to be more flexible and more patient, making things work for the program and making sure they still fulfilled the requirements.”

The students waited for their cue to walk down the center of Bloom High School auditorium. Most were nervous but excited to finally have their dream achieved.

When putting on her graduation gown, Robinson thought she finally made it.

“This program was excellent” said Corneisha Robinson from Chicago Heights. “Students who didn’t graduate will have a great opportunity. They really helped me to get my high school diploma. I was able to do a lot of the work on my own time. If I can encourage anyone who hasn’t done this, Never give up.”

Another student Luis Magana from Chicago Heights was happy this day had come. “This program worked with my schedule since I work afternoons” said Luis. “It feels good to graduate. If you haven’t graduated high school, give it a try.”

For the welcome speech, Michael Campbell, Principal of Bloom Alternative School gave a short history of the program and how it came to be.

“A young man at Bloom, was a three-year athlete, a recent father and a student who only needed a couple of credits to graduate. After several conversations with this young man, Dr. Navarre was committed to providing an opportunity for him to pilot a new program. The student carried the torch and successfully completed his credits for graduation within less than one semester. We learned a lot from our conversations with him. From observing his work habits and how diligently he completed the task. During our Winter break, Mrs. Dorith Johnson begin to pose about starting the 13th year program. When Dr. Navarre and Mrs. Johnson completed the task, there were funds, staff members and more importantly students who had the drive to pursue a goal. That has led us into this moment in history today.”

The program meets five days a week Monday through Friday from 9AM until Noon. The program began in January and ended the end of April. There are currently still four students close to completion.

Henry Drake, President of District 206 Board of Education presented the diplomas.

“It was the best program for me” said Shantoria Route Ragland from Chicago Heights. “I think they should keep this going because it will help a lot of former students who didn’t graduate. The program is at your own pace, it wasn’t rushed.”

Now that Shantoria has graduated high school, she will be heading to Prairie State College and be involved in the school’s CNA program.

Dr. Lenell Navarre, Superintendent of Bloom Township District 206 couldn’t stop smiling.

I’ve stopped by the program in the last few months throughout the time of it’s inception” said Dr. Navarre. “I asked the question to a young man in the program, why return. He said It was hopeless out there, without a high school diploma Doc.”

If you didn’t complete high school, live in District 206 and your 18-21 years old with six credits or less to graduate, contact Ms. Shiva Franklin at sfranklin@sd206.org