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elenaaguilar@yahoo.com
Dear former students,
Four years after your graduation from Ascend, I remain a little obsessed with you. There's the educator-part of me that wants to know how well we did at Ascend (and how well I did as a teacher) to prepare you for high school and life. I am very grateful to those of you who consented to being interviewed and who shared your insights and reflections. We've really learned a lot and I know I owe much of my improvement as a teacher to your feedback.
In addition, there's the part of me that really, really cared about you (and still cares about you). Those three years we shared together, in spite of how hard they were at times, were some of the best years of my life. You were "my kids" even before I had my own child; you live in the same region of my heart.
This is really corny, but it is a teacher's dream to see students she's taught graduate from high school. It was wonderful beyond words to be at your graduations this spring. I can't wait to see what happens next, and of course, I'll be at your college graduations.
And for those of you who haven't graduated yet, the story isn't over. My brother didn't graduate from high school until he was 21 (he dropped out when he was 16). He started college when he was 28 and just graduated from Stanford Medical School as a physician's assistant (he's now 35). So if you haven't graduated yet, let me know when you do. Let me know if you need help getting back into school. I'm always going to "be here" for you guys.
I created this blog so you can see what happened to each other and so you can share stories or updates. I'm going to post more photos of the years you were at Ascend, and any photos that you send me.
Stay in touch. Know that I'll always care about you and want to know how you are. Really.
Much love,
Elena
Rey is missing in action..where are you, Rey?
Huber graduated from MetWest in 2007. He is attending UC Berkeley.
Andria graduated from Dewey. What's next, Andria?
Karina graduated from MetWest. She was accepted to CSU Chico, SF State, Dominican, Sonoma State, CSU East Bay, SJ State, and Sacramento State. She will attend Merritt college this fall and hopes to transfer to Mills college in a couple years.
Joanna graduated from MetWest. She was accepted to CSU East Bay, SF State, CSU LA, St. Mary's and will attend UC Santa Cruz in the fall (GO BANANA SLUGS!!). She received the Lu Mien Scholarship, and the Youth Law Scholarship. 
Anthony is persevering at Oakland High. He expects to graduate in 2009!
Sandra graduated from Oakland High. She will be attending Cal State East Bay.
Amy graduated from MetWest. She will be attending Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia. 
