Students Raising Funds for Graduation

More than the prom, the senior picnic and “Grad Night” at Magic Mountain, Yaskara Galvan, 18, and Ricardo Jimenez, 17, are looking forward to their graduation ceremony, and they want to make sure they have the money for their caps and gowns.

Galvan and Jimenez are among 27 students who will graduate this June from the Youth Opportunities Unlimited Alternative High School, a South Los Angeles school for youngsters who otherwise might not have completed their education.

The school is a program of Youth Opportunities Unlimited, a private nonprofit community service organization, and has an enrollment of 192. It accepts students with past truancy or academic problems.

The students and staff have held bake sales and car washes in an effort to raise $8,100--$300 per student--to cover the costs of all of their senior activities.

“This school doesn’t have very much money,” Ricardo said. “We want to have the same things that regular schools have.”

Arlene Swain, resource coordinator for Youth Opportunities Unlimited said, “It’s so important that they, just for a couple of nights, be able to be kids.”