Eboni is a student at Fort Worth Can! Academy-Campus Drive . When her mother, Demisha, was asked why she chose to enroll Eboni at our campus when she could have attended school anywhere, she replied, “I loved the principal’s perspective on discipline. The school was structured and the teachers kept in contact with me if something was wrong as soon as it happened, instead of waiting for it to get out of hand.” 

“Eboni never complained about this school, she loved her teachers (especially Ms. Tambo), and her student advisor (Mr. Williams), who she still calls almost every week”, she added. While on campus, Eboni participated in the school’s Summer Leadership program and several activities offered by the campuses’ 21st century program. 

Eboni’s hardwork and tenacity in earning extra credits for advancement via summer school and PLATO allowed her to graduate one year ahead of schedule. She was chosen by Jarvis Christian College to attend their Summer Bridge program and was later awarded a scholarship to attend this fall.

From Ready to Work Coordinator, Charlotte Chew:

Filling out the Apply Texas application with students is a day-to-day task in this job. Armandina reminded me one day of how big of a difference the seemingly simple task of filling out a college application will make in a student’s life. I met with Armandina a few times in the semester to help her figure out what she’d like to do after high school. She decided that she would like to attend community college and she came to me to assist her in filling out her Apply Texas application. I sat with her as she filled out each page then when she submitted her application I told her “Congratulations! You’ve just applied for college….and you’ve been accepted!” She looked at me with wide eyes and asked “For real?!” and then gave me the biggest hug. She completed the Accuplacer exam when a representative from Palo Alto College administered the test on our campus.

The following week after she completed her Accuplacer, the Can! transition coordinator and I met her at St. Philip’s College to connect her with services and to show her which offices she needed to go to in order to register for classes and manage her financial aid. Armandina seemed rather overwhelmed and in shock that she was at college about to enroll for classes. She finished her credits in October and has registered for the spring semester. I had the opportunity to work with her for just a short time, but I’m really proud of her for following through with plans for a bright future.

Armandina plans to study nursing in college and become a Registered Nurse. She says she wants to become a nurse to help others. She was inspired by her mother who was diagnosed with diabetes and Armandina helped her with insulin injections. This made her realize her passion for taking care of others.

Congratulations Armandina! We are so proud of YOU!

My name is LaTasha Davis-Gomiller and I am a student at Austin Can! Academy. I am 20 years old and have a loving baby girl named Talaya and a wonderful husband, Milton. If it wasn''t for my husband being by my side and pushing me in the right direction, I wouldn''t be standing on that stage. I work full-time and am a full-time mom as well. I grew up in foster care, and it wasn''t easy. I made the best out of it and became a better person. I wasn''t always the easiest person to get along with, but with the right people and being a little scared straight, I got my life together and was given a blessing from God, my beautiful family. All my family helped me get to where I am today, I love them and thank them for everything that they have done for me.

I was trying and trying to find a school that would fit my work schedule and my budget. I couldn''t go back to public school because it was going to take me longer to get my diploma and get where I wanted to be in life. I tried an online school, but the cost got too much, so I dropped out. I was driving by Austin Can! one day and I saw their sign with a phone number, so I called and came in. I did what I had to do to get enrolled and start classes. I was a little scared because I didn''t know what to expect because I was due to have a baby soon, I wasn''t sure they would accept me. They did, and I give much love and thanks to Austin Can!.

What made me come back after having Talaya was the fact they had a home school for mothers that are trying to get their diploma until they can return to the campus. The teachers and advisors are so helpful and understanding of people''s situations and take their time to help any student in need, instead of turning their backs on them.

Austin Can! helped me to understand that I don''t have to be scared to ask for help, that''s what they are here for and I thank them for that. They helped me achieve one of my biggest goals in life and I am so proud to be where I am today. Thank you so much Austin Can! for everything that you have done for me.

For my future I want to go to college and become a social worker to help young children and teenagers that are in similar or different situations that I have experienced in my life. The simple point of having someone to be there and showing them that someone cares and they aren''t in this alone would be what I want to do with the rest of my life.  

I want to thank every teacher at Austin Can! for helping me to become a high school graduate!!!!

The impact Eddie’s mentor made on him stays with him to this day. Now, seven years after graduation, Eddie is an award-winning store manager for AT&T, a company he has stayed with since he graduated. He has traveled abroad, and he has purchased his second home. Because of his experiences at school and help from Texans Can - Cars for Kids and the success he has known since, he wants to give back, being a mentor to young men who, like him, have had to go without the love and guidance of a father.

Back at my first high school, I skipped constantly and several staff told me “You will never graduate!”, I was kicked out of school and tried to find another one to attend. Many schools, even alternative programs rejected me because of my past behavior, they recommended that I go to Austin Can!. 

I dropped out for a while but finally enrolled in Austin Can! Academy. It was a big change to have smaller classes and uniform but when I am in the classroom the teachers actually teach! If you do not understand something, they take the time to explain things and encourage me to go to tutoring. 

In the past, I never knew what I scored on TAKS but since I’ve been at Austin Can! my math score has increased a lot and my score has gone up 200 scale points. I never took my academics seriously in the past, but the staff helped me to believe in myself! I will be graduating this June and then will attend college.