A rose has many meanings. For the students in Santa Clara County Office of Education’s Opportunity Youth Academy (OYA), a rose is a gesture of gratitude and transformation.
During each winter and spring graduation, OYA students give roses to people who have supported their journey to a significant milestone – graduation. An OYA tradition, the rose ceremony offers graduates an opportunity to recognize and honor those who have been instrumental in guiding, encouraging, supporting, and inspiring them. The rose ceremony also symbolizes the transformative power of support and resilience
“We all worked so hard to get here,” said OYA ‘24 graduate Shaneya Johnson. “I couldn’t ask for a better support system.”
For most OYA graduates, their journeys have been filled with challenges and, at times, seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Established in the fall of 2016, OYA offers students ages 16-24 years old who have left traditional school settings an opportunity to complete their high school education. Through a blended learning program of teacher-directed instruction and online credit accrual, students work toward a high school diploma enabling them to enter college and/or a career. OYA is a premier high school dropout program engaging students through relationship-focused, high-tech, and rigorous learning experiences.
Through their experiences in the program, the graduates are ready to learn, work and live.
There are six locations throughout Santa Clara County: four in San Jose, one in Milpitas, and one in Gilroy. As a year-round school, students attend 215 days each year working toward graduation requirements without long breaks. OYA honors its students with a spring and winter graduation. Since its establishment, 703 students have graduated from the program. The largest graduating class was in the 2022-2023 school year with 133 senior graduates (winter and spring cohorts). The largest spring graduating class was in the 2023-2024 school year.
“I am so incredibly touched and inspired by each of their stories,” said County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Ann Dewan. “Their participation in OYA helps them create a pathway to success.”
The 2023-2024 spring graduating class and their guests heard from a 2017 OYA alum about their journey into OYA, their experience in the program, and their success after graduation.
“OYA is unlike any other school I’ve encountered,” said Sarah Thomas, OYA ‘17. “It’s unique, especially for the type of support that they offer. They gave me all the tools I needed to be successful in obtaining my high school diploma. For that, I am extremely grateful.”
Thomas shared her struggles as a foster youth and her involvement in gangs and substance use at the age of 12. At 13, Thomas overdosed and was pronounced dead for three minutes. She said that in the hospital she knew something had to change.
With her firstborn child at the age of 15, Thomas learned about OYA through The Hub, a resource center for foster youth. Thomas recalls that she failed every class during her time in a traditional high school setting. Her time in OYA was drastically different.
“In OYA I had all A’s and was awarded with academic achievements,” she said.
Thomas recalls a significant moment when OYA staff member, Annie Kretowicz, provided dedicated study time to Thomas by reserving a conference room and playing with her son so that Thomas could complete her studying.
She detailed that upon her graduation, OYA staff continued to provide guidance to her regarding her pursuit of higher education. Thomas currently holds two associate degrees and is a current full-time student at UC Berkeley with the goal of becoming an attorney.
“My life is forever changed and I am grateful to share my story with others,” she told graduates. “OYA gave me a second chance.”
Thomas’ story serves as motivation for recent OYA graduates. While their challenges and triumphs are uniquely theirs, OYA students are resilient and persevere in their toughest times.
“I may not know everyone’s story but what I can say is that it’s been challenging and that I’m proud of you,” OYA ‘24 graduate Navaeh Cabral told her peers at the graduation ceremony.
For graduates like Johnson, Thomas and Cabral, OYA represents a lifeline—a place where obstacles are met with unwavering encouragement and where second chances become a reality. Their stories, from overcoming personal struggles to embracing newfound educational opportunities, remind us of the profound impact of dedicated educational programs like OYA. With over 700 graduates since its inception, OYA continues to pave the way for success, inspiring hope and embodying the spirit of perseverance.
