Anthony Delyea, 18, valedictorian of Frank Church High School’s winter graduating class, was recently rounding up a big group of family members — cousins, aunts, his grandmother — to celebrate with him at his graduation ceremony at Capital High School.
But one thing he didn’t tell them: the fact that he’s top in his class, a surprise that would be revealed on Thursday night.
The honor had surprised him, too.
“I just went to class, did everything I was supposed to do,” said Delyea, who plans to study psychology when he enters college in the fall and wants someday to direct movies.
Frank Church High School is the Boise District’s alternative program for students who aren’t thriving at traditional schools. Between 350 and 500 students designated “at risk” attend the school each year.
It opened in 2008. The winter class — another class graduates in the spring — numbers 33 graduates.
Some of them are military-bound. Others have registered for trade schools and college. Some will be going to work.
“People have the idea that the school is for ‘bad kids,’ ” said college/career counselor Ann Marie Waibel.
“They’re not. They’re just kids, and life happened to them.”
“At-risk” can mean lots of things. Students may have substance abuse or family issues. Some, transferring from other districts, are missing credits, which can them at risk of not graduating on time. Some are teen parents.
MENTOR HELPED HIM
Delyea said he was struggling academically and contending with other issues when he came to Frank Church.
Teachers like Matt Stewart, who helped him make peace with math and remained an adviser even after Delyea left his class, turned everything around for him, he said. At Frank Church, they know how to empathize, he said.
“The school is for kids who had a lot of trouble. A lot of teachers there went through the same stuff.”
Delyea is looking for a job. He’s saving for tuition and is still deciding between Boise State and University of Idaho — a luxurious problem for a student who, a few years ago, didn’t know whether he’d even graduate from high school.
Kate Lyon, 18, struggled after a friend committed suicide. Lyon said she lost motivation to go to school and dropped out. She began to abuse alcohol and was homeless for a time.
Luckily, a better spirit took over. She came back to school determined to do whatever she needed to finish. Like Delyea, she credits her teachers, in particular, Bruce Fast, for helping her.
“He was so inspirational,” said Lyon, citing something he once said: “What you think about, you bring about.”
Lyon excels at fine art. When she was homeless and needed money, Fast spread the word among staffers, several of whom bought paintings from her.
“Now I’m enrolling at BSU. I want to teach art at an alternative school. It would be really awesome if I could teach at Frank Church,” said Lyon.
She was selected to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at graduation and was nominated for the David George Turnaround Award for students who have made profound transformations.
Waibel, the counselor, said she describes Frank Church High as “Boise’s best-kept secret.”
The school, as any, has its problems. There have been a handful of fights on campus.
“But I look at us as the community college of high schools, where students can get the attention they need,” Waibel said.
That might be supplies from the school’s food pantry, or a school nurse to help them get an eye exam.
SMALLER CLASSES
“Frank Church High School provides an invaluable educational program to students,” said Don Coberly, superintendent of the Boise district. “These are students who thrive academically and socially with smaller class sizes and a more individualized educational experience.”
Frank Church follows the same curriculum as other schools, and it continues to increase its academic offerings, said Coberly. That includes an advanced-placement course being offered for the first time this year.
Delyea said he was nervous when he learned he had to give a graduation speech.
“But I said yes. It was a huge opportunity for me,” he said. “And I can brag about it later.”
The hardest part was finding a fitting quotation. He settled on one from American scientist Alan Kay, which is in line with the lesson his friend Kate Lyon learned in Fast’s class:
“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”
Anna Webb: 377-6431
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