Student speakers Elijah Mendez and Jazmine Santiago had very different stories to share during their graduation ceremony from Opportunity Academy on Friday, June 12—but their remarks reinforced many similarities, as well.
“Honestly, I didn’t want to come to OA,” Elijah told the crowd of family, friends, teachers, and staff assembled at the Holyoke War Memorial for the graduation ceremony. “I wanted to stay at Holyoke High because I assumed OA was a school for bad kids. But when I came to OA, I found motivation to come to school and do my work. Before I came here, I wanted to drop out. After many arguments with my parents—arguments that I definitely did not win—I decided to give OA a chance.”
That chance paid off, Elijah said, realizing now how much his life improved in the 13 months he was part of the OA family.
“It was a rough start,” he admitted. “The new environment was different. The classes were small, and I was used to skipping classes most of the day. I also wasn’t used to teachers caring the way they do at OA. That’s what really clicked for me and motivated me to lock in, earn credits, and graduate on time. It turns out it’s a lot harder to disappear when there are a lot less people in the classroom, and everyone knows your name.”
For Jazmine, Opportunity Academy represented a fresh start and a chance to return to school after taking time off to take care of herself and her family during some challenging times.
“My own journey with Opportunity Academy started a decade ago in 2016,” she said. “I saw a lot of my classmates graduate and I wanted to graduate with them, but I needed to find myself. I helped plan their graduations and parties and knew it eventually would be my turn. I knew I wanted a better future, and that I had obstacles to overcome. I dropped out of school because I had to grow up and become an adult at a very early age.”
She returned to OA to finish something she had always dreamed of.
“Today, in my graduation gown, all of the effort was worth it,” she said. “With every obstacle, I found one more reason to fight. My advice to you is: It is OK to take time off so you can gather yourself. Just remember, something is still there for you to finish what you started. It is never too late to prove to people who doubted you, that you have it within you. And you always have. You just need to start today!”
What are Principal Phelipe Johnson’s hopes for every member of the OA Class of 2026?
“I hope you learned the value of perseverance,” he told this year’s graduating seniors. “I hope you learned that there is no single path to success and that being on your own journey is something to be proud of, not something to apologize for. I also hope you learned the importance of relationships. None of us get through life alone. The people who support us, challenge us, and believe in us often make all the difference. Most importantly, I hope the love, care, and sense of belonging that you experienced at OA stays with you. My hope is that wherever life takes you next, you bring that same love and care into the world and share it with others.”
Photos from OA graduation can be found here, More photos will be added soon.