District 214 class prepares teens for success after high school

Ten months ago, 14-year-old Armando Ramírez couldn't speak English.

He immigrated to Rolling Meadows from Michoacán, Mexico, making the difficult choice to leave his parents behind to move in with an aunt and dreaming of becoming a psychologist.

Now, his English is markedly improved. And after an intense three weeks in the English Language Learners Career Academy Program this summer, he feels even more confident about his future.

The academy is put on by Northwest Suburban High School District 214, designed for 40 teens whose families have little or no experience with planning for careers or for college. Students visit colleges, learn how to build their resumes, meet professionals in a variety of careers, shadow or even intern in local offices, practice writing essays for college applications and apply for scholarships.

“They gave me options,” Ramírez said on Thursday, the program's final day. “Now I know that if you want to do something, you can make it happen. It's so different because in Mexico, we don't have that many options.”

Three weeks ago, all he knew about college was “it comes after high school.”

Now, he knows how to apply for college and financial aid, what kind of grades he needs to get, what kind of classes he should take and where he wants to go.

The academy started last year. Students in District 214 are recommended by teachers and counselors, and then they can choose to apply. The course is taught in English and costs $20.

Noemi Ramoz is in her second year of the program. At 16, she is an incoming junior at Buffalo Grove High School.

She aspires to own a car dealership.

“I've always wanted to do business, but I didn't know how,” Ramoz said.

Her family emigrated from Mexico before she was born.

“I'm the first to go to high school and college here, so I have to do it all on my own because I don't have anyone helping me or telling me what to do,” Ramoz said.

She is determined her two younger siblings will go to college as well. She concentrates on setting a good example for them by working hard at her education. She plans to attend Harper College for two years, then get bachelor's and master's degrees at National Louis University.

Joel Rodriguez, 15, also wants to set a good example for his siblings.

“I want my little sister to go to college,” Rodriguez said. “I want to get her on the right track.”

He wants to be a civil engineer or an architect. He participated in the program last summer, too.

The incoming Rolling Meadows junior said the Career Academy has helped him understand how to get into and succeed in college.

“It's a lot of work, but it's worth it,” Rodriguez said.

Throughout the program, guest speakers discussed their careers in health care, journalism, law enforcement, computer science and cooking.

On Thursday, Buffalo Grove police officer Falon Adams told the students about her career, encouraging them to work hard and not give up on their dreams — after all, she applied to 24 police departments at first and heard back from only six. She was hired by Buffalo Grove in 2012.

Students peppered her with questions: Can we see your badge? Have you ever shot anyone? How did you pay for college? How did you make yourself stand out?

Their teacher, Lily Justiniano, said it's been rewarding to watch the teens learn and grow in three short weeks.

A counselor at Buffalo Grove High School, she said the fact that her students choose to be there every day speaks volumes to their determination.

“I'm very proud of them,” Justiniano said. “I feel like we're really accomplishing what we set out to do here.”