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Show Mountain High's grads found successful alternative By VICKI CROCCO KAYSVILLE Mountain High School's graduating class includes in-cludes 39 young men and women who may not have taken the opportunity oppor-tunity to finish high school without the support and care given by the extraordinary staff and faculty, according to five of this year's graduating gra-duating seniors. Mountain High is an alternative high school directed by Betty Brand and associated with the Davis Area Vocational Center. It began as a place for kids to "get off the streets" ten years ago. Next year it will meet the requirements for a fully accredited high school. Students enroll in Mountain High for various reasons, ranging from poor attendance records to having no place else to turn. Through the dedication and care shared by the entire school, most leave-'With .& sense, of self-esteem and confidence about the future, an accomplishment rarely achieved by any high school. John Lauriski decided to enroll in Mountain High after seeing his brother graduate from the school. John had a severe attendance problem prob-lem at Viewmont High. Since attending Mountain High, he has achieved two perfect attendance terms, and a gpa of 3.85. "What made the difference at Mountain High was classes like critical cri-tical analysis. The students put together the class where they studied stu-died problem solving and court thinking. "We put together the school paper in that class. We also put on debates, and each made presentations," pre-sentations," John said. "Human relations was a great class. We created a video on self- Michelle works in the office at the school, handling the phones, checking students in and filing. "We don't know what we're going to do without her. She's such a big help," said Betty Brand, Mountain High's director. The four other seniors agreed. "There's a disturbing increase in the suicide rate at normal schools. There were four or five in the school district just this year. Here, we have never had a suicide associated associ-ated with our school," said Brand. "It's encouraging." "People have the WTong impression im-pression that there's lots of drugs here," said Danielle Romijn. "Some kids smoke pot, but not at school. Everybody encourages each other to stop and get to class. We're not afraid to nudge someone if they need to straighten out. "I came here because of poor attendance, but I really didn't fit in the other school., I wasn't a goody-two-shoe cheerleader, Mormon or a druggy, so I didn't fit. Here everybody ev-erybody cares about you. You don't feel the pressure of not being in a certain click," said Danielle. "We're a galaxy of stars here," said Steve Parrish. "Here they see the good things in you, not the bad," Steve said. For those few who do have drug problems, Vik Arnold has set up and is running the "student support sup-port group" class. "We've seen some big changes in people with real drug problems. There was one kid you couldn't even talk to. Now he's great, a real turn around," said Danielle. "It's too bad about our image. We need more community support. sup-port. We're starting to get some, like next year we're getting a lib- i "Most leave with a sense of U self esteem and confidence I about the future." esteem and went to some of the sixth grade classes with it because we saw that before these kids can 'Just Say No!' to drugs, they have to have self-esteem. We had panel discussions after the video where we talked about what self-esteem is and how to get it, that we get self-esteem self-esteem from family, friends, accomplishments, hobbies and positive input," John said. "There's a lot of pressure on kids to succeed from family, peers work and yes, the media. You see . guys in sports making millions and rock stars who reach enormous success, and the pressure is on to get there," John continued. "Here, you don't give up because be-cause of the pressure. You have the support to give yourself a chance." "I think this school works because be-cause it gives you the opportunity, the support, and unity. The teachers are great. Paula Boss is the greatest. 1 want to give her a special thanks," John said. Graduating senior Michelle Rogers Ro-gers came to Mountain High suffering suffer-ing from depression. With help from the teachers, treatment and support from the students, Michelle Michel-le is positive about her future. "I'm going to study to be a dental de-ntal assistant after high school. I was shy and scared when I first got here. But now I trust more and that's from the acceptance I've gotten from the school. I especially want to thank Judy Nixon." rary and basketball court from the school district. But, the community commun-ity needs to come see who we really real-ly are here, and not just label us," said Danielle. Danielle is going to study cosmetology cosme-tology and hopes to attend Weber State College someday. "It's going to be hard to leave, even though I feel prepared to face life. It's special here. I am especially especial-ly going to miss Elaine Fast for all her support," Danielle said. Steve Parrish said "There's learning going on here. Like Vik Arnold's class. He knows what you're going through. Classes are small, so you get lots of attention." "Most of the teachers here hold a master's degree or higher and are here because they want to be. It makes a difference," Betty Brand said. Steve wants to go on to college someday, but said "I was nearly born in a diescl truck and I'd like to hit the road." Angic Malloy has been attending Mountain High since she was a sophomore. "I'd probably be in jail now or just working if it wasn't for the school. I'd have given up. They really turned my attitude around. Now 1 talk to people I wouldn't have before. I give people chances first." Mountain High is just what it claims to be. a school which offers alternatives to those who don't see their choice. Alternatives which alter al-ter lives and open up the future. i |
