Teenager Shows Grit

A De Leon moved to the United States by herself and accepted help from the guidance counselor and principal in order to graduate.

B De Leon had records of good academic achievement in Puerto Rico.

C De Leon communicated regularly with her family and friends in Puerto Rico.

D De Leon passed the requirements for Massachusetts graduation.

A The hurricane destroyed her high school in Puerto Rico.

B De Leon did not have the resources necessary to start school on the first day.

C De Leon was “juggling family issues and society issues” and left behind several close relationships in Puerto Rico which caused her to hate school.

D De Leon moved from school to school once she came to the United States.

A Some graduation requirements were waived for De Leon.

B De Leon’s principal reminded her of her academic success and encouraged her to graduate.

C Her dream of majoring in media production became stronger.

D Friends and family encouraged De Leon to graduate.

A The school system is building bigger schools.

B The school system is not letting the hurricane evacuees enroll in their schools.

C The school system has no plans in place to deal with the influx of evacuees.

D The school system understands that families may come and go from school to school and is flexible in the needs of those families.