Dropout earns diploma after confronting reality
 Linda Seeger Salazar, Arizona Daily Star Michael Montoya, right, cuts an anti-smoking spot. He earned his high school diploma through the Senior High Accommodation program. |
By Lacy Rogers
Special to The Arizona Daily Star
Graduation, the time-honored tradition that encompasses such clichés as "carpe diem," will be a night Michael Montoya will never forget.
Commencement, for many, symbolizes the rite of passage and the prospect of dealing with adulthood and its responsibilities. Graduation will be a victorious end to a long struggle for Montoya.
At the age of 19, Montoya has had to deal with a lot of adult issues, including domestic violence and watching friends succumb to the lure of drugs and gangs.
Three years ago, Montoya dropped out of Tucson High. He recently returned to Senior High Accommodation.
"I returned to school after a lot of persuasion from friends and family, and the realization that through Senior High Accommodation it wasn't too late to go back," Montoya said.
Senior High Accommodation is for students who have dropped out. Students must complete a total of 20 hours a week - 5 hours of classroom work and 15 hours of learning-type activities such as community involvement.
"Michael not only came back to school, but he got actively involved in a pursuit to help others," teacher Fred McConnell said. "He has just thrown himself into community activities."
Montoya has worked as a camp counselor for Champs Have And Model Positive Peer Skills. CHAMPS is a program in which teens promote positive life choices to other youths.
He also volunteers with the Spectrum of Life (SOL) program, working with underprivileged youth. SOL uses dance and theater to help children deal with teen issues such as gang violence. Montoya is also an actor and spokesman for Our Town's Teen Theater.
He is also helping to write TV and radio anti-smoking
commercials targeted at school-age audiences.
"In the past few years it was all the programs through
Senior High Accommodation and Our Town Family Center that opened
my eyes to the importance of education," Montoya said.
Montoya also sings and plays keyboards with a local band, Poetry. The five-member band has played in such local hot spots as the Paragon, Wildcat House, and the Outback. The band has received air time on local radio, and they are currently producing demo tapes to submit to record labels.
"My future plans are to be involved with music, theater, and children," Montoya said.
Lacy Rogers is a senior at Canyon del Oro High School.