The nation’s high school dropout crisis has continued to reach profound milestones in success. According to a report released by Building a Grad Nation, high school graduation rates are now at an all-time high of more than 81 percent, allowing students to move forward in their careers and in improving the world through their lives.
 

But there are still many students who aren’t graduating.
 

Researchers predict that in this year alone, over one million students will decide to drop out of high school. Minorities particularly continue to drop out. Data from Building a Grad Nation revealed Hispanics/Latinos have only a 75.2 percent graduation rate, while African-Americans fall behind with a 70.7 percent graduation rate. Despite these challenges, many are working to reach the nation’s goal of increasing the number of high school graduates to 90 percent across the spectrum by 2020.

Those of America Graduate are particularly determined to improve the number of students graduating from high school. More than 100 media companies are involved in America Graduate’s national effort of leading thousands of educators, policymakers, celebrities, and communities to encourage students to stay in school and graduate. The initiative also aims to honor educators and mentors as American Graduate Champions for helping students to stay on track and achieve academic success.
 

Recently, more than four million American Graduate Champions around the country gathered to celebrate American Graduate Day. One of these admirable Champions was Wyoming senior high school math teacher, Bertine Bahige.

Bahige has gained significant recognition from his colleagues due to his passion for encouraging students to not give up on their education. He told RIZZARR that everyone needs to understand the importance of mentoring students and championing them to reach their full potential.
 

Bertine Bahige is an American Graduate who has been recognize for going above and beyond in supporting his students. (Photo courtesy of American Graduate)

“We have to look at our kids and try to figure out how can we speak their language to empower them to see the importance of graduating,” Bahige told RIZZARR. “As schools and teachers, we have to come up with creative ways to inspire them and spark their curiosity. That is the challenge for every teacher in the classroom today.”
 

Bahige said he wants to make sure students get an opportunity that he himself almost didn’t have. Growing up in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bahige dreamed of becoming a doctor.
 

But when war broke out, he was separated from his family and forced to serve as a child soldier: “That was the end of that dream,” he stated in an interview. “But deep inside, I knew that I was better than that. That was the hope that kept me alive.”
 

After escaping and traveling to the U.S., Bahige says he made sure that he received his education. Now, he is determined to go the extra mile for at-risk students, making sure that they see the value in receiving their education, too. He even advocates for them to other teachers and calls their parents to check in on them whenever they frequently fail to attend his class.
 

When asked about the advice that he would give to students who are thinking of giving up on themselves, Bahige said he would tell them that they should always believe in what’s possible.
 

“It doesn’t matter how you started in the education system and it doesn’t matter how many failures that you’ve experienced. You can still make it to that finishing line and hit that reset button. Graduation is important because it is a true starting point. Whatever hardship that you are going through, I have been there too. Tell yourself that you can walk across that stage… that you can make it across that finish line. You can achieve those dreams and goals that you want to achieve. Remember, your education will not only impact yourself, but everybody around you in terms of helping the future of our country.”
 
 

To find out how you can get involved in American Graduate to empower and mentor high school students to reach their full potential, click here.
 

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8 months ago by Aaron 4 min read No comments

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