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A KERA News Digital Project by Stella M. Chávez, Bill Zeeble and Molly Evans |
Students at International Leadership of Texas recently picked up the school’s first yearbook in June 2014. Photo/Caydee Daniel
Joel Luera takes a quiz during a history class. Photo/Lara Solt
Joel Luera takes notes during a history lecture at Eastfield College in Mesquite. Photo/Lara Solt
Ricky Rijos, left, is a student at Flower Mound High School. Photo/Lara Solt
May 2016: Alex in her Mandarin Chinese class at International Leadership of Texas. As junior year wrapped up, she was thinking about attending Sam Houston State University. (Photo/Lara Solt)
Chance Hawkins in the hallway of Dunbar High School in Fort Worth. Photo/Mark Birnbaum
Kelli Bowdy dreams of going to a four-year university and eventually becoming a nurse. Photo/Lara Solt
Joel Luera attends W.W. Samuell Early College High School in Dallas 
Photo/Mark Birnbaum
Chance Hawkins is crowned prom king at the Dunbar High School prom in Arlington on May 6. Photo/Lara Solt
Jerry Harris, right, has dinner with his sister, mother and friend, left, at his home in Coppell. Photo/Lara Solt
Kelli Bowdy, a senior at O.D. Wyatt High School in Fort Worth, leaves for prom. Photo/ Lara Solt
Phantasia Chavers walks into the arena for her graduation from Cedar Hill High School on Friday, May 26. Photo/Lara Solt
Alex Gutierrez with classmates at the senior banquet at International Leadership of Texas in Garland. Photo/Lara Solt
Joel Luera is congratulated by other graduates at W. W. Samuell Early College High School in Dallas. Photo/Lara Solt
Ricky Rijos Jr. receives his diploma during his graduation from Flower Mound High School at UNT Coliseum on June 6. Photo/Lara Solt
Class of ’17 is a five-year initiative that follows North Texas students as they transition from middle school to high school and through graduation.
Class of ’17 explores the causes and consequences of the state’s school dropout crisis — and what schools, families and community groups are doing to help keep students in school.
KERA has been checking on these students each year since 2013 to document their accomplishments, their struggles — and their hopes for the future.
