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Print | E-mail to a friend SCHOOLS

Ex-dropouts take advantage of second chance

August 26, 2008 @ 12:00 AM

BILL ROSENBERGER

The Herald-Dispatch

HUNTINGTON -- Robby Cabell was six months away from graduating from Cabell Midland High School, but he got into some trouble and was kicked out of school.

But the 18-year-old from Barboursville couldn't keep the smile off his face when he was told he could re-enroll and earn his diploma. His change of heart, he said, was the result of time to reflect and finding dead-end roads when it came to jobs.

"I discovered how hard it was to get a job," Cabell said. "Besides construction, all I could get was the jobs they give to 16-year-olds."

Cabell was joined Monday morning at the Board of Education office by about 20 other teens who had dropped out of high school for one reason or another. They were there to find out how to get help in earning their high school diploma or GED.

Among those who spoke were Director of Attendance Sherri Woods, Cabell County Career Technology Center counselor Robert Bailey and Tim White, the director of the Youth Empowerment Program. Counselors from Cabell Midland and Huntington high schools also were there to discuss how many credits students would need to graduate.

If they could finish high school before they turn 21, they were admitted back to school. If not, the adult programs at the Tech Center or Youth Empowerment can help students prepare for the GED or earn a certificate.

"Today is a chance to go back and right some of these decisions you made," White said. "It's not how you start; it's how you finish."

His program, he said, is about job readiness and GED training. He talked about the success stories he's had, including four students starting their college careers at Marshall University on Monday.

"Our main goal is to get you into a program or get you back into school," Woods added.

Bailey said the Tech Center programs help students develop skills in trades where job openings exist. But like the others, he just wanted to see those who had dropped out in the past come back and strive for something more.

"We don't revisit the past," Bailey said. "We're all about second chances. Our goal is for you to get as much education as you can, a fresh start and a chance to get on with your life.

For 19-year-old Brittany Whitt, that means finishing her diploma at Cabell Midland. She said she dropped out before the end of her junior year, then worked full time in a low-wage position. The past year, she said, has been a wake-up call.

"You pretty much need an education to go anywhere in life," Whitt said. "I didn't see the picture when I quit."

Whitt and Cabell both said they're eager to back into the classroom because they've seen and experienced the consequences of not having at least a high school diploma.

"Now I see what people mean about getting your high school diploma," Cabell said. "I'm actually going back to school for the right reasons."

Events

1940s Radio Hour
Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 4-6, and 11-13; matinee at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. A "live" radio show with seven performances. Complimentary tickets offered to...

J. Chris Newberg
7:30 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4-7. A refreshing smart and edgy humor, delivered with a streetwise sense of philosophical...

First Friday and Second Look Saturday
5-9 p.m. every first Friday, 2-6 p.m. every first Saturday. Visit with Pendleton artists in their studios. Questions, call 606-920-9863.

Lions Arts and Crafts Show
4-9 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5-7. Hosted by the Lesage and Southeast Huntington Lions Clubs. The juried show is filled with...

"The Nutcracker"
school matinee begins at 9:30 a.m. and regular show at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. Ashland Youth Ballet presents their annual presentation of The Nutcracker. Questions...

Christmas Tour of Homes
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6-7. Tour six outstanding homes in the Bellefonte area dressed for the holidays. Questions, call 606-329-8888 or visit...

2nd annual Holiday Candlelight Tour
2-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. A tour (inside and out) of eight prominent Huntington homes beautifully decorated for the holidays. Questions, call 304-733-ARTS.

Marshall Artists Series: "Wizard of Oz"
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. A spectacular celebration of the iconic 1939 MGM film, "The Wizard of Oz." Tickets, call 304-696-3326 or visit www.marshallartistsseries.org.

16th annual Joy to the World Holiday Concert
8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11; doors open at 7:30 p.m. Featuring Bob Thompson with guest vocalist Dwight Lenox. Tickets, visit www.mountainstage.musictoday.com or call...

"Cowboy" Bill Martin
7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11-14. The Texas native, who has toured with some of the biggest names in country music,...

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Dining

GOOD EATS: Rocco's Ristorante serves up Italian faves

November 27, 2008 @ 12:00 AM

CEREDO -- Rocco's Ristorante has been a favorite of the Tri-State since 1977. The restaurant continues to serve delicious Italian meals, which have attracted people from miles around.

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Education

Mark Webb/The Herald-Dispatch

Sam Datko talks with Leslie Price about enrolling his son, Steve Datko, at Cabell Midland during a Dropout-Reentry program on Monday, Aug. 25, 2008, in the board room of the Cabell County Board of Education building.

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