Yaritza E. remembers when she found out during her sophomore year that she was pregnant, and then took a year off from North Dallas High School to care for her baby, most people thought she would never go back and graduate.
She proved them wrong on May 18 when she walked the stage to receive her high school diploma.
“A lot of people thought I wasn’t going to come back,” she said, wiping away tears. “I proved them wrong. It’s not easy being a teen mom, but I did it because I want to give my son and my mom a better life.”
Yaritza will be attending Texas Woman’s University in the fall to pursue a nursing degree. She chose the school because it has a program that accommodates students with children. They also have free daycare.
Originally, Yaritza dreamed of becoming a teacher, but experiences with her pregnancy and her son set her on a new path. She will still be working with children, but as a pediatric nurse.
“I saw how the nurses worked with [Mateo] and helped him,” she said. “I have also always liked to help children. I want to help a lot of people and going to college I’ll have that opportunity.”
When Children’s Hospital found out about Yartiza’s plans, they offered to pay for her studies and set her up with a job at the hospital while she works toward her degree.
It was not an easy journey to graduation for the 18-year-old. Mateo was born premature and underwent significant therapy to help him overcome developmental issues. Postponing school to care for him made sense, Yartiza said.
When she came back to school this year, she attended classes as a regular student and caught up through the school’s reconnection program, which allows students to earn credits at an accelerated pace. Yaritza earned her junior and senior credits in a year so she could graduate.
She had to give up a lot—softball, going out with friends, extracurricular activities—but she said it was worth it. Her boyfriend, who graduated last year, cared for the baby during the day while she was at school. Their mothers also pitched in. Yaritza did most of her studying at the school and then came home to her baby.
Her advice to other students facing obstacles is “set your goals, look for help because people want to help you, and take the help when it is offered.”
Yaritza said she didn’t accomplish it all on her own and is grateful for the support of her family, team members at the school, and programs for teen mothers she was able to participate in.
“At first, I felt very lonely,” she said. “But then I saw that there are so many people who want to help. There are so many people who are proud of me. I am proud. I feel that being a teen mom made me who I am today.”
