17 TEEN MOTHERS BEAT THE ODDS, GRADUATE FROM SPECIAL JCPS PROGRAM

17 teen mothers beat the odds, graduate from special JCPS program (Click link to watch video)

Updated: 9:07 AM EDT May 19, 2023

Alexis Mathews

Reporter

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

Young mothers from the Georgia Chaffee Teenage Parent Program reached an educational milestone on Thursday by graduating high school.

TAPP is designed to prevent school dropouts due to teen pregnancy and parenting.

As the 17 ladies walked across the stage to accept their diplomas in their pink caps and gowns, they also walked into their destiny.

The youngest graduate, Claudia Aguilar Vanegas, 16, is a mother of two. She reflected on a journey where she did not think this moment was attainable.

“I doubted myself knowing that I might not make it,” Vanegas said. “Going home doing tests and finals, it was way too much on my hands, and there’s no alone time for myself.”

Maintaining motherhood while still valuing their education is no easy task.

“Especially waking up at 5 o’clock in the morning, every morning. I have to get myself ready and my baby, get on the bus by a certain time,” said Ronyale Smith, a TAPP graduate.