Overcoming obstacles to earn a diploma
Two students display motivation and determination
Dominiqua Sinkler
and Gabriella Gonzalez
are proof that with
the right motivation
and academic support,
students can overcome
obstacles and earn their
diplomas. They were
among the 592 seniors
who participated in
Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Schools’ mid-year
graduation ceremonies
held at Bojangles’
Coliseum Wednesday.
Dominiqua was
a sophomore when
her family moved
to Charlotte from
Rochester, N.Y. Her
mother was searching
for better opportunities
for Dominiqua and her
brother – and to give
Dominiqua a fresh start
Dominiqua Sinkler (left) and Gabriella Gonzalez
academically.
“Me and my mom
were always talking
she hit that refresh button, and it was the start of her start-over. She is
about acting mature and not hanging around with the wrong crowd,”
just a committed, mature young lady.”
said Dominiqua, who enrolled at Harding University High. “Here,
Gabriella was a student at North Mecklenburg High when she had a
I didn’t have anyone to distract me, and I think I became more
baby the summer after her sophomore year. She said her plan was to
motivated.”
drop out of school, but her mother intervened. A family friend offered
Still, Dominiqua found it difficult to focus in a large high school
to babysit so she could continue her classes, but she was dealt a blow
setting. She said she also had to make up credits that didn’t transfer
when the baby’s father passed away that fall.
from New York, and her grades suffered. She was six credits short
“Not having her dad around, I didn’t have that emotional support,”
last fall when she enrolled in Harding’s RAM Academy, which provides
said Gabriella, who said she would go to work after school and tried to
individualized support for students who will not graduate on time and
stay busy as much as possible. “I did as much as I could to get back on
need credits to fulfill state and district requirements.
my feet.”
“A large school wasn’t for me,” said Dominiqua, adding she enjoyed
Shanique Lee, Gabriella’s English teacher, said Gabriella doesn’t
the computer-guided program at RAM Academy. “The teacher told
like to ask for help, and she did a lot on her own to fight through
us what we needed to achieve with our lessons. Students here are
discouragement and persevere in her quest to graduate. She said
competitive and motivate each other, and we were always trying to do
Gabriella also makes all her decisions around what’s best for her
more.”
daughter.
Dominiqua said she made school a priority and finished all of her
“I love all my students, but she has a special place in my heart,”
credits in December. She said she
Lee said. “We grew closer as we worked together, and she stayed on
now feels ready for her next step
schedule, even though there were so many odds against her.”
-- classes in business management
Gabriella plans to begin classes at the Art Institute in July and
at DeVry University, which she
wants to become a graphic designer. She said students who are facing
begins at the end of February, and
their own obstacles to education should ask for assistance and know
she is also starting a new job. Her
before and after school pick up
that things are going to be fine.
goal is to open a clothing store
and drop off
and a restaurant when she finishes
sporting events
her education
“It’s tough at first, but just stay
“When I met Dominiqua, she
medical appointments
was quiet and introverted, but
strong and determined,” said Gabriella.
pick up and drop off for teen job
I thought, ‘That young lady has
something to say,’” said Sheila
“You’d be surprised at how many people
daily transportation
Ijames, school administrator for
Harding University High and RAM
want to help you succeed.”
980-263-1852
Academy.
“When
she
came
here,
www.MomsTransportation.com
4 • March/April 2016 • Parent Teacher News