May is a very exciting time for all of our students! As we approach the end of the school year, it is amazing to reflect on how hard students in Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries homes have worked, how they have persevered, and how much they have learned.
This year, we are overjoyed to be celebrating multiple high school graduations for children in Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries homes, including Evangeline*, who has lived in a Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries home in Hannibal for a few months.
Evangeline graduated this past December. She was initially welcomed into one of our homes for an emergency, or short-term, stay. Her foster parents had recently been licensed, and Evangeline knew one of their daughters. However, her foster family fell in love with her very quickly.
“Evangeline is awesome,” Kayla, Evangeline’s foster mom, shared. “She’s super bubbly and outgoing, and she fit in with our family immediately.”
Evangeline is an amazing student, and she earned all of her credits to graduate in advance.
Therefore, in her final semester of high school, she was able to job shadow at their local hospital, including observing clinics.
“When she puts her mind to something, she’s going for it,” Kayla said.
On average, only 50% of children in foster care graduate from high school. School is challenging for a number of reasons. Due to a lack of foster homes, children are often moved to different counties when they enter foster care. This can mean frequently changing schools, which can lead to weaker relationships with teachers and peers.
Without stability and supportive relationships, it can be incredibly challenging to feel a commitment to schoolwork. Additionally, without consistency, it can be incredibly difficult for students in foster care to access the resources or accommodations they need to succeed.
We are so proud of Evangeline for her dedication, perseverance, and commitment to her education. She is a GP M.A.D.E. Scholar and will attend college in the fall, where she has signed to be a cheerleader and will study nursing.
“I want to go to college because I want to be the first,” Evangeline said. “Nobody in my family has done it; I’m the first person to graduate high school. I have two younger siblings, and they are my world. I don’t want them to think that school just stops with high school. I want them to be able to look at their older sister and think, ‘Well, she did it, so I can do it, too.’”
Despite any challenges she may face, Kayla noted that Evangeline remains steadfast in her determination, stating, “She does not let her situation define her. She is always very committed to sticking with her goals.”
With this in mind, Kayla expressed her hope that Evangeline will continue to excel in all of her pursuits.
“I really hope her dream of becoming a labor and delivery nurse comes true,” Kayla said.
*Name changed for the sake of confidentiality.
Our Hannibal office has shared an Amazon wishlist, where you can purchase items for Evangeline’s college dorm. View the Amazon wishlist here.
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