Long Hours At Work And School Fuel Determination For Stratford High Graduate In Nashville
Though he’s a teenager, Kevin, a recent graduate of Nashville’s Stratford STEM Magnet High School is the man of the house.
In high school, he worked long hours to help out, which made staying in school a struggle. Instead of dropping out, he stuck with it and graduated. He now attends Belmont University and is on scholarship.
“When I was younger, my mom and my teachers, basically my whole family told me I was going to be great,” Kevin says. “Since they believed in me, it always put a fire in me because I know I wanted to be something.”
Kevin says he worked 40 to 46 hours a week, sometimes not making it home until after 11 p.m.
“It was hard making that transition from work to school,” he says. “I was failing math at a point in time, so I had to stay over two or three hours to make sure that I get all this work done and to make sure that I pass this class.”
Things are set now the college freshman.
“Now I’m going to college, and I’m going to Belmont on a full ride,” he says. Since his freshman year high school, Kevin says: “Everything has worked out fine.”
This report was produced by the Southern Education Desk as part of their “Back on Track” series. It is supported by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in observance of American Graduate Day on Saturday, October 3.
How has the Electoral College survived, despite being perennially unpopular?
Despite its substantial-sounding name, the Electoral College isn’t a permanent body: It’s more of a process. For decades, a majority of Americans have wanted it to be changed.
Thousands of Pennsylvania voters have had their mail ballot applications challenged
Thousands of last-minute challenges to voters’ mail ballot applications, along with baseless claims by former President Donald Trump, are adding pressure on Pennsylvania county officials.
No more fluoride in the water? RFK Jr. wants that and Trump says it ‘sounds OK’
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s claims about fluoride in the drinking water are linked to Cold War conspiracy theories about the substance.
‘Divine Nine’ historically Black organizations hope efforts will turn out the vote
With more than 2 million members, the "Divine Nine" organizations have launched many get-out-the-vote initiatives in this historic election involving one of their members, Vice President Harris.
Impossible, you say? Try asking a toddler
Green eggs and ham? Even toddlers know when an event appears to be impossible, not just improbable.
Trump is hoping to win non-consecutive terms. Only one president has done it
If reelected, Trump would only be the second president to serve non-consecutive terms after Grover Cleveland in the late 1800s. Here's a look at how that happened — and who else has tried.
