Native American Foster Student Beat the Odds and Graduated Valedictorian

Native American Foster Student Beat the Odds and Graduated Valedictorian
Erika Ramirez (L) with her mentor Kateri Joe at her graduation. Courtesy of Erika Ann Ramirez
Updated:

Graduation from high school is a momentous occasion. It’s the beginning of a new chapter in a young person’s life, paving the way for years spent in college or out in the workforce.

Yet graduation isn’t guaranteed and a number of Americans don’t graduate on time. According to government statistics, 16 percent (almost one out of five) of students do not graduate within four years of starting 9th grade.