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Education is a journey that for some is a straight and narrow road filled with nothing but academic success. For others, like Winder-Barrow High School senior Jocelyn Cabrera, education involves many twists, turns, peaks and valleys. Traversing this journey has been marked by several challenges and setbacks, but through perseverance, Jocelyn has triumphed.
Freshman year marked the start to what could only be defined as a tumultuous educational journey. Jocelyn created negative habits of skipping classes, neglecting assignments, and shirking effort in her classes. Her lackluster performance produced only three credits for the year. It was a rocky start as she struggled to make the right choices and navigate the academic landscape of high school.
However, sophomore year brought a glimmer of hope as Jocelyn was identified as a student who would benefit from a support team. A positive shift began to happen as she allowed mentors, teachers, counselors, her graduation specialist, and her academic interventionist to pour into her and give her structure and strategies to be more successful, provide encouragement, and hold her accountable. She earned five credits - a significant improvement from the previous year, and the turning point needed for her to make significant strides towards her academic goals.
By junior year, meaningful drive and determination had set in. Jocelyn began staying after school for tutoring, advocating for herself, showing up to class on a more consistent basis, and even taking additional tests to earn credits. Her transformation was becoming not only evident in her academic success but in her “paying it forward” by encouraging her younger friends to avoid following in her footsteps and recognize the value of education.
Jocelyn’s progress is undeniable. She still slips and falls at times, but she picks herself back up and keeps moving toward her goal of graduating. She is dedicated to the bright future she has begun to envision for herself and continues to rely on the unwavering commitment of her dedicated support team. Her vision includes a plan to attend technical school in the fall.
Jocelyn’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, resilience, a changed mindset, and the impact of a strong support team. It is a story not only about how a student can change over time and overcome academic obstacles, but also about discovering potential, embracing determination, and pursuing dreams. We could not be prouder of Jocelyn, and we cannot wait to cheer her across the 50-yard line as she becomes a “gg” graduate!
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.