Quicktakes: In your high school experience, what made you want to graduate?

Saeda Washington, 21
Kensington Businesss graduate
Youth Justice Courth Coordinator, Youth United for Change
“I’ve been in YUC since 10th grade, and it inspired me to do something better with myself. I come from a family who doesn’t – not saying they’re not supportive of college, but you graduate high school and then you work. Going out to the work field and looking at the economy, I knew that college was my best option.”

Saul Zayas, 19
Kensington Culinary graduate
Sophomore, Community College of Philadelphia
“Norris Square Neighborhood Project, this afterschool program, motivated me. That’s why I wanted to graduate. They hit me with ’You can do anything.’ I didn’t have that where I was growing up; didn’t have much of a family, so this was a family place. Just having someone say that to me was cool.”

Brittney White, 19
Kensington High Scool for Creative and Performing Arts graduate
Freshman, Empire Beauty School
“My family made me feel like I could really be something in life. I had a lot of problems in school, but [my principal and counselor] were telling me that I’m smarter than the things that I’m doing, and that they see great things for me – just inspiring words.”

Juan Prieto, 19
Kensington Culinary graduate
Sophomore, Community College of Philadelphia
“I was one of those kids in school that was all about getting my schoolwork done. If you don’t have a high school diploma, what do you have? You don’t have much. I don’t know if anyone influenced me. It was just me, getting it done.”