We're celebrating our Class of 2014 this week with a series of photos and videos highlighting some of the standouts, rock stars and students who didn't quit when things got tough. Follow along on social media and shout out friends and families using using #DCPSgrads. We'll also be updating this page daily with new 2014 graduates. 

Thursday, 6/12

Ashley dropped out in the 10th grade but returned to school in 2012. She wanted to go to college so that she and her son Isaiah could have a better life. Ashley earned her diploma while staying at the family shelter at DC General. Ashley is attending UDC in the fall and will be pursuing a Nursing Degree. She's hanging tough and we love her for that. 

Here's Ashley in her own words: "Isaiah is my inspiration. I know he’s here for a purpose. Before I had him I wasn’t going on the right road. When I had him I thought, what am I going to do if I don’t finish high school? How am I going to support my child? My son is all I have. And if something is that important to you, you will push for success."

Wednesday, 6/11

Kheelum won First Place at the Robert Herndon Science Fair so it makes sense that he'll be majoring in Biochemistry this Fall at #FAMU with a scholarship from the Economic Club. 

Kheelum's advice for underclassmen: Don’t let little problems get you down. Celebrate little achievements as if they are big. Be dedicated. Don’t slide, and don’t wait for opportunities to come. Go get ‘em!

Katya has come a long way since freshman year when she received her first 'F'. She thought Banneker was going to be as easy as middle school and if you've ever met Principal Berger, you know that's not true. Katya has since straighten herself out and thanks to two scholarships, will be attending Trinity in the Fall with her tuition covered. 

Here's Katya in her own words: [Banneker] is where most of my life happened. My mom died when I was a freshman. The fact that I got over that… that’s the biggest thing I’ve overcome. I became independent and I came into my own. But I also know how to ask for help when I need it. I think I got it from my mom-- she told me it’s not wrong to ask for help but when you do, make sure you learn. Take it and give it to someone else.

Here's Andrew in his own words: "Get involved in anything you want. I wanted to play squash or do the newspaper but I didn’t. Wilson has so many opportunities for you to express yourself. The more things you do in high school the better off you’ll be for college or the future."

Tuesday, 6/10

Hope might actually be involved in every activity at Wilson. She sings in Choir; captains the soccer team; is an ambassador for the school and is a member of the SGA. (Sorry, Hope. We couldn't list everything else.) Hope will be attending the University of Nevada-Las Vegas in the Fall and will major in Hospitality Management.

What will Hope miss most about Wilson?
"I will miss the diversity here. This school has people from every single background, including ethnicity and economic status. It’s very exciting because you meet others who have views on everything and different perspectives on life. So I’ve learned a lot from students and teachers and administrators. I know it’s something that will be hard to find elsewhere."
 

Both brains and brawn, Malik is a football team captain, interns at the World Bank and plans on majoring in Computer Science this fall.

It's been a tough year for Malik. His uncle passed away last fall but with the support of his friends, family and football, he's made it through to graduation with a 10K Rubenstein scholarship to South Carolina State where he plans on majoring in Computer Science. 

His advice for undergraduates: “Get close to a staff member that you can really trust. I’m close with a lot of staff, but most of all my football coach--Coach Antonio Price (Pictured). We hang out and he teaches me a lot.
Malik's proudest moment: "This year Phelps had a football team, first time since 1990s. We bonded. We taught the 9th graders how to conduct themselves together. It wasn’t just about football…we grew into a family.”

Anacostia HS senior Rashema Melson goes from homeless shelter to Georgetown University on a full ride.

Monday, 6/9

We're celebrating our Class of 2014 this week with a series of photos highlighting some of the standouts, rockstars and students who didn't quit when things got tough. We're kicking it off with McKinley's Matthew Austin who's headed to the illustrious Hampton University for a 6-year pharmacy program.

Tierra comes from a family of Deltas and with the perseverance that she has shown this year, we know she'll do them proud this coming fall at Tugaloo University. 

Here's Tierra in her own words: -- "I lived in the neighborhood for Ballou and I broke off to attend School Without Walls. It was difficult to transfer to Ballou but it was something I was willing to do. It was a far commute. I have a single mother. It was difficult for us financially. I wasn’t doing too well grade wise. At SWW, they had off campus lunch. I took advantage of that freedom, and I messed up. So I transferred to Ballou. And I said to myself, ‘I’m not going to make these mistakes again.’ I was going to build on my experience.”