Isabella Miranda is an inspiring 18-year-old student graduating as valedictorian from the RCOE Come Back Kids (CBK) Charter. Isabella has overcome many challenges in her life but continues to preserve, carrying herself with a contagious smile and radiant personality.
Isabella entered the foster care system at the age of 13, moving between different foster homes and group homes. She decided to leave the system at the age of 16 and attempted to become independent. She eventually left high school for a short period of time because of the situation she found herself in.
One day, Isabella decided to re-enroll in high school and was referred to the Come Back Kids program. Her situation was a little complicated when she enrolled since she was an unaccompanied minor. Isabella stated, “nobody else was willing to help me because I was unaccompanied, but RCOE wanted to help me…I could tell they actually cared.”
Julie Drogo, Isabella’s teacher at the Educational Options Center, says that it was her first time working with an unaccompanied minor. Ms. Drogo ensured that Isabella was well accommodated by RCOE and worked to keep her interested in completing the program. Isabella says that through CBK she has learned responsibility and has developed her time management skills, which helped her to be able to keep a job while studying and eventually afford a secure place to live.
Isabella has dealt with mental health issues in the past and says that her greatest accomplishment has been overcoming negative thoughts that were holding her down. Isabella admitted, “I may seem like the happiest person, but I’ve been through some hard stuff because of being on the street.” One piece of advice Isabella would give to other students dealing with homelessness or in the foster care system is that “it gets better – it may get worse – but it eventually gets better.” She also says that you have the power to better your situation, but you are not alone, there are people who are willing to help you. Staying positive every day is a huge accomplishment, especially for those who have had to deal with difficult challenges in life. Ms. Drogo reminds Isabella that her positivity is inspiring; however, it’s okay to ask for help – especially when emotions begin to feel too overwhelming.
Ms. Drogo has been Isabella’s biggest supporter during her time in CBK. When Isabella began to lose motivation after initially enrolling in the program, Ms. Drogo made sure to reach out to her and encourage her to continue with the program. Ms. Drogo says that her approach to keeping students engaged is to build a strong relationship, rooted in trust and mutual respect.
It is clear how much Ms. Drogo cares about her students and their well-being, even going as far as giving them her personal phone number in case of emergencies and always keeping food, water, and other essentials in the classroom. “I always remind my students that we have resources in case they ever find themselves needing food or shelter. I just like to remind them so that if they’re ever in that situation they’ll know, ‘wait, I’m not alone.’”
RCOE has a multitude of resources for students struggling with mental health issues, food insecurity, lack of health services, or homelessness. This year, the RCOE Foundation awarded the top ten students from the CBK program brand new laptops. Isabella was among those students and was completely surprised when she was notified.
Ms. Drogo, however, was not surprised by this at all. “She’s smart but she’s also very dedicated and diligent. When she gets into her work she does very well because she loves to learn – which is the biggest thing.”
This laptop has been a huge blessing to Isabella. Since her old laptop had broken, the new laptop helped her get through online classes and connect with others during the pandemic. During this time, Isabella also lost her job; however, as usual, she tries to have a positive outlook on the situation. She notes that she has been able to focus more on her studies, allowing her to finish the last few credits she needed to graduate and not stress so much about finances, since she was able to qualify for unemployment.
Isabella has rediscovered her love for learning through CBK because of the way the material is taught. She says that CBK’s independent work is a lot more engaging than the independent work she has done through other programs. Isabella also appreciates that the teachers make themselves available, so she is able to get help whenever she needs it. She has a genuine love for learning and wants to understand her assignments rather than simply earn her credits to graduate. Isabella recalls, “before, when I was in school, I would just sit in classes not knowing what was happening. …I learn more slowly, I have to break things down on my own.” CBK has allowed her to pace her studies in a way that aligns with her learning preferences, helping her reach success.
Isabella has taken economic classes at CBK and found a love for business. She speaks passionately about one day owning her own clothing company that makes inclusive clothes for different body types that are not always accommodated by fast fashion. After she graduates, she plans to start working towards her business ventures while also taking fashion design courses at Chaffey College.
Isabella is an ambitious, resilient, and charming young woman. She serves as an inspiration for others, demonstrating how one is not defined by their past, but by what they do to try to improve their future. Without a doubt, Isabella is a well-accomplished student and is on her way to achieving great success in her future endeavors.