Another school year has come and gone. Llast week was a bitter sweet week for SOUL students as they celebrated their accomplishments and said goodbye to friends, teachers, and staff members that, over the years, became family.

Dressed in their black or white caps and gowns, 33 students paraded into the historic Wilson Theater/Cornerstone Church as SOUL students and walked out as graduates and SOUL alumni. Touching stories about overcoming adversities were shared, tears were shed, and cheers heard round the world were bellowed.

Overwhelmed with emotion, 18 year-old Amanda Reyes – one of the school’s two Academic Achievement Award recipients – told the crowd about her trials, tribulations, and, ultimately, success. Tears filled her eyes and her voice cracked as she described how she felt when students at her former school stared at her “pregnant, swelling belly” and ridiculed her; she described her decision to continue her education at SOUL instead of facing her alternative – dropping out. “My son … he is my inspiration and the reason I want to succeed,” she exclaimed.

During her tenure at SOUL, Amanda participated in Early Head Start/Head Start’s Youth Mentor Program and earned a stipend and a college scholarship. She was also awarded Planned Parenthood Mar Monte’s Morgan Scholarship for the 2009-2010 academic year. Amanda, who completed her spring semester with a 4.0 GPA and a 3.7 cumulative GPA, is attending Fresno City College in the fall and will study Child Development.

Also recognized for their academic achievements were valedictorian Yadira Valencia and Academic Achievement Award recipient Melissa Roman.