Beating the Odds & Passing the Graduation Test

Graduation time is just around the corner, yet many students won't have the chance to walk.
 
Last year, about 69% of Savannah-Chatham high school students graduated on time.
 
Close to 8% or 740 of the district's high school students dropped out last year. The highest percentage was at Groves High School, almost 13%, 237 teens.
 
A graduation coach at groves high school called 3 On Your Side education reporter, Randi Hempel, to share the story of three exceptional students who will be donning their caps and gowns.
 
Randi introduces us to the teens who are beating the odds.
 
“Back in 2004, I lost my mom.” Says Groves High senior, Jessica Messex.
 
"I had to deal with basically losing my parents, not to them dying but as to them using illegal substances and when I found out it was just like devastating because you know my mom was my rock.” Says Groves High senior Samantha Moone.
 
“It was the biggest point of my life when you have people downgrading you and telling you that you ain’t going to amount to nothing.” Says Groves High senior, Shereka Burnam.
 
Three young ladies are triumphing over tough times. They were determined to pass the high school graduation test in March, their last chance to graduate this year.
 
“I'm very excited because at one point, I didn't really think I would graduate.” recalls Shereka.
 
“I was going to tutorials. It's all about how bad you really want it and if you want it bad enough, you'll day in, day out stay longer than the average person at tutorial.” Samantha talks about all of her hard work.
 
With tutorials, hard work and determination they passed.
 
“It’s nothing that can stop you when you've got a clear mind and know what you want to do.” Shereka encourages others.
 
“I am very excited, when I found out I passed my test, I just started crying.” Jessica laughs.
 
“It's totally awesome, it's the best feeling to actually know that we're leaving and not coming back, laughs, we're going on to college now.” Samantha smiles and laughs.