MARINE WILL WALK ACROSS STAGE

IN CAP AND GOWN TO RECEIVE HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

WHAT:             A Corporal in the United States Marine Reserves will be walking across a stage tonight  in cap and gown to pick up his high school diploma from Houston Can! Academy. Juan Solis, 22, attended Houston Can! in 2005, completed all his course requirements to earn his diploma and enlisted with the United States Marine Corp. Within one week of his enlistment he was shipped to Boot Camp believing he had passed the TAKS test, which is required to earn a Texas high school diploma. After he had completed Boot Camp he learned he had not passed the test.

It was wartime and then Private Solis was deployed to serve in Iraq. He served his country for four years, which included three tours in Iraq where he earned a Combat Action Award, and returned to Houston. The entire time he was in the Marine Corps he wanted to try again to take the TAKS ELA (English, Language Arts) test.

            Houston Can! welcomed him back and worked with him on his mission to pass the TAKS. He attended tutorials with the teachers to refresh his academic skills. He passed the test and will be a member of the Houston Can! Hobby graduating class of January 2010.

WHO:               Celebrating more than 20 years of serving academically at-risk youth, Texans Can! is a unique network of 10 public schools of choice located in Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston and San Antonio. Using Texans Can! three core values –- discipline in private, reward in public; rules without relationships breed rebellion; and behavior is based on need –- more than 4,700 students a year are getting a second chance at life. 

                        Sanctuary at the Hobby campus

                        9020 Gulf Freeway

WHY:                The students of Houston Can! have overcome obstacles to complete their education. They realize the value of returning to high school and working to earn their diplomas. The mission of Dallas Can! is to provide a second chance for at-risk youth and their families to achieve economic independence and hope for a better life.

VISUALS:         Non-traditional students receiving their high-school diplomas. Small, intimate graduating class who will be celebrating the end of a difficult journey for their high school education. Students in blue graduation robes, blue hats being tossed in the air at the end of their commencement ceremonies and a beautifully decorated stage. 

MORE:              For more information, visit www.texanscan.org or call 832-379-4226.

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