photo courtesy of WESH
On Thursday, May 18, 17 young mothers who underwent the Georgia Chaffee Teenage Parent Program graduated high school.
The girls, dressed in all pink caps and gowns, received their diplomas through TAPP at the Northeast Christian Church – a program specifically designed to support early school dropouts due to teen pregnancy and parenting time constraints. Claudia Aguilar Vanegas, the youngest of all the graduates at just 16 and a mother of two, told WLKY that she never thought this moment would be possible.
“I doubted myself knowing that I might not make it,” The TAPP graduate said, “Going home doing tests and finals, it was way too much on my hands, and there’s no alone time for myself.”
Another girl, Ronyale Smith, admitted that balancing her time with children and her studies was challenging. “Especially waking up at 5 o’clock in the morning, every morning. I have to get myself ready and my baby, get on the bus by a certain time,” Smith expressed. She continued to say that she was motivated by her kids, nonetheless, to persevere.
“I always knew I could do it. I will finish school. I know she’s proud of me, and I wish she was here with me today.”
In addition to their children, the girls were supported by each other as well. Vanegas added, “They encourage me to keep going. We all will get in a group and just help each other out.”
The group of 17 finished their graduation ceremony by exchanging their caps for crowns and repeated the affirmations of the TAPP program led by their school principal Dr. Delena Alexander. The affirmations are meant to remind the mothers of their innate potential and strength. They read, “I am beautiful, I am seen, I am a mommy striving for my dream. The queen is here, watch me rise.”
The TAPP graduates are supported by resources and scholarships to continue into college and towards further educational opportunities. According to the report, the list of schools that the graduates will be attending includes JCTC, nursing schools, and the University of Louisville.