Defying COVID: Every Student In Bronx Charter School’s Senior Class Gets Accepted To College

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — A charter school in the Bronx is celebrating the graduating class of 2021. All 65 seniors have been accepted to colleges.

It’s a monumental achievement at International Leadership Charter High School after an unforgettable year.

One by one, every senior in the class of 2021 announced their plans for the future to the applause of their classmates, CBS2’s Christina Fan reported.

“I’m so proud. This year was unlike any other. Everything was done virtual. They’ve made amazing decisions with very little interaction with in-person experiences, so it was a lot to overcome this year,” said Adriana Cameli, the school’s director of college prep.

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Despite all the challenges the coronavirus pandemic piled onto the kids, 100% of the graduating seniors received college acceptances.

On Wednesday, they took a minute to reflect on all the obstacles they had to overcome as their school held a celebratory breakfast in their honor.

“The most challenging would have to be just not being able to be in class all the time and having to deal with assignments on your own,” student Maraluna Medina said.

“Most schools weren’t counting the SATs or the ACTs, so they were taking closer looks at us as a student and as a person,” Joel Eeltre added.

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The kids said it was the support they had from each other that helped them stay motivated and on track.

“When you have counselors and family and friends backing you and reminding you what you want and the vision, you should be good,” Alejandra Espaillat said.

As for what they are looking forward to the most in their futures, they said the pandemic hasn’t dampened their dreams one bit.

“I look forward to helping people. That’s what it’s all about,” Milan Brown said.

“My plans for the future is to get my degree and start working right away, start my career,” Eeltre said.

“Honestly, I just can’t wait to meet new people, travel around the world and, you know, start my life,” Medina added.

CBS2’s Christina Fan contributed to this report

from CBS New York https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2021/05/05/international-leadership-charter-high-school-senior-class-college-acceptances-bronx-covid-19/
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