CCSD senior clears hurdles; graduations set to start this week

Anna Goga is congratulated by Family Court judge Fran Sullivan during a celebration for foster care graduates hosted by the CASA Foundation Friday, May 29, 2015, at the Italian American Club. (Sam Morris/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Sam Morris on Twitter @sammorrisRJ

Anna Goga talks with Chanera Forrest during a celebration for foster care graduates hosted by the CASA Foundation Friday, May 29, 2015, at the Italian American Club. (Sam Morris/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Sam Morris on Twitter @sammorrisRJ

Anna Goga talks with Chanera Forrest during a celebration for foster care graduates hosted by the CASA Foundation Friday, May 29, 2015, at the Italian American Club. (Sam Morris/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow Sam Morris on Twitter @sammorrisRJ

When Anna Goga moved to the U.S. from Russia eight years ago, the change in culture and climate struck her first.

Unlike Las Vegas, her small hometown of Tambov not only offered four seasons but provided a tight-knit community where Goga’s large family lived in one home and students spent their entire academic career together in one building.

Goga, who at age 11 came to the U.S. with her mother, lost that support system and later found herself in foster care through a series of events that she has confided to just one friend at Sierra Vista High School in the southwest valley.

“I moved from bad home to very bad home,” said Goga, now 19. “Some of the families didn’t care about the kids, or they were neglectful. Some even abused the kids (and) basically (were foster parents) for the money.”

To escape those homes, Goga devoted herself to school and dreamed of the day she would attend an Ivy League school. After her graduation next week, that dream will come true when she arrives this fall at the University of Pennsylvania to study chemistry in preparation for medical school.

“I always wanted to do something valuable with my life and didn’t want to be a statistic like every other foster kid,” said Goga, who plans to practice pediatric medicine in Russia. “I wanted to prove wrong everyone who said I couldn’t, like my past foster families.”

Throughout her four years at Sierra Vista, Goga completed 19 honors and Advanced Placement courses, accumulated 46 As in her classes, played the flute in marching band, participated in track and field, joined the National Honor Society, won a full-ride scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania and was one of three candidates for valedictorian.

She managed all of that even after aging out of the foster system at 18, when she started working full-time at a McDonald’s near an apartment that she shares with three roommates.

“I sleep when I have to. Usually 12 to 4 (a.m.),” she explained.

Goga thanked her grandparents, both of whom were doctors and still live in Russia, for teaching her to be studious and a hard worker. But she also credits her struggles in the foster system for teaching her other life lessons.

“I learned the past should not define you,” Goga said. “No matter what bad happens, it doesn’t affect how to live your life.

“It means you have to be a stronger person. I was miserable a couple years ago. Now, I’m not exactly happy, but I’m OK.”

HELPING SENIORS GRADUATE

While the Clark County School District will host dozens of high school graduations over the next two weeks, not every senior will join in the ceremonies.

A state law enacted two years ago prevents any senior missing a required course credit or who failed a proficiency exam from participating in graduation. In response, the district implemented a new data system for principals to track students to provide interventions and credit recovery or retest opportunities to help them earn a diploma on time.

“That tool has been great because it allows our principals to take action, and they can really quickly determine in which class who needs the most assistance or when to host boot camps after school,” said Mike Barton, chief student achievement officer for the district.

Last year, the district’s graduation rate was 70.9 percent.

At least two high schools, Eldorado and Las Vegas, recently held all-day campus “lockdown” events to offer those services to seniors just shy of completing their graduation requirements.

Additionally, for those students who don’t graduate on time, the district provides similar resources over the summer and hosts a late graduation in August. Last year, more than 450 students participated in that summer ceremony.

“Even students that come back to us after two years after their senior, we don’t give up on them,” Barton said. “There are always options, and we’re always going to help them.

“The reality of all this is we don’t get credit for that in our graduation rate, but we know that we’re helping the students and community.”

Contact Neal Morton at nmorton@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0279. Follow @nealtmorton on Twitter.