Global Academy Graduates Shine With Support and Encouragement

Sisters Dianella and Lea, who graduated from Global Academy in January, serve as shining examples of how experiences and environments can improve outcomes for students.

Both girls attribute their success to the support and encouragement they received from staff and teachers at the school as well as the career-building experiences and programs they participated in while attending Global Academy.

Lea said the staff helped her socialize more and encouraged her to pursue new interests.

“They would say ‘Lea, take this class’ and I wasn’t really interested, but they kept telling me I could do it,” she said. “They really support you and tell you what the benefits are and encourage you to take extra classes so you can get to the next step in college.”

With that motivation and support, both girls were enrolled in a college course at Southwestern College, while taking high school classes at Global Academy. Both took a career technical education graphic design course where they learned to create logos and advertising. And together, they participated in a two-month paid apprenticeship in which they learned the fundamentals of branding and campaign strategy to help market a line of designer handbags.

That experience taught them how to speak up, express their opinions confidently, and work with a team, all important skills for the future.

Dianella was thrilled when they took her idea and used it as the foundation for the handbag campaign.

“That really made me feel like I could share my ideas and I could be helpful with my team,” she said.

Counselor Jessica Codallos Zarate, and teachers Dr. Tamara Davis and Linda Tachiquin, were part of the support system encouraging them each step of the way.

“These girls are so special. They have overcome challenges and are the absolute sweetest girls,” said Codallos Zarate. “They were always willing to try new things and take on a challenge. They took advantage of almost any opportunity we offered, including CTE classes, taking college classes, internships, college and career tours, and field trips.” 

And while they shared many of the same experiences, they are heading toward different career paths. Lea plans to major in accounting because she loves math while Dianella will study nursing and will be the first in her family to enter the medical field.

They are excited for college life and the new people they’ll meet, but don’t want to leave the familial school they’ve been part of for the last few years.

“This school really helped me out the most when I was at my lowest,” Dianella said. “When I first got here, I wasn’t doing well and wasn’t sure I’d be able to finish high school. After seeing that if I did my work, and the teachers showed me how I was progressing, that gave me so much motivation. I started thinking ‘I can do this.’”

And they believe other students can succeed like them if they take advantage of all the opportunities they can.

“You never know what you’ll do in the future,” Lea said. “Try out a lot of things; take all the chances.”

Dianella added some useful advice for adults and students alike: “Don’t procrastinate — just do it!”