YouthBuild Public Charter School Students Graduate: Students Transformed Their Lives and Communities

By Edgar Martinez
LAYC’s Communications Intern/Events Correspondent

YouthBuild Public Charter School held a graduation ceremony that honored its students who pushed themselves to succeed and surpass obstacles preventing them from moving forward.

Five students completed the entire course of the program, and thirty-four were promoted to the next level.

I found that the students moving to the next level were filled with joy and pride.

“YouthBuild opened great doors of opportunities for troubled youth,” said Olu Osun, a participant at YouthBuild.

According to what some students at the ceremony said, they are very thankful to YouthBuild because the program and staff gave them a second chance when everybody else said no.

Parents, student’s friends, Youtbuild representatives and other YouthBuild supporters including honorable council member Jim Graham, who expressed feeling honored to participate in the ceremony, attended the event.

Lori Kaplan, executive director at the Latin American Youth Center, gave a very motivational speech. “I am proud to see the YouthBuild family reach their goals of success,” Kaplan said.

Dr. Ivan Walks, former Chief Medical Officer for Washington D.C spoke a little bit about YouthBuild and how proud he was about this program and its contribution to the community. Dr. Walks stated that he was delighted about the opportunities YouthBuild provided young troubled teens.

At the ceremony, there were a lot of other proud supporter who were happy to support students on such special day.

Wilfredo Ramos, one of the graduating students, said he felt proud he was completing the program and added he was thankful to the staff that motivated him to strive for the best.

“Before YouthBuild, I was a troubled teen who was involved with drugs and other problems in life but my experience in YouthBuild changed my life dramatically,” said Wilfredo.

Nelson Sanchez, another YouthBuild student, stated that he will always remember the YouthBuild staff who he refers to as his YouthBuild family because they gave him another opportunity to do better . “They always gave me the right motivation to strive for the best and always keep on moving forward,” he concluded.

Edgar Martinez participated at LAYC’s job readiness/GED preparation WISE program and a communications intern. He is currently pursuing his GED and hopes to attend college to study a communications career.