On September 20th, educators and staff from the Socorro Independent School District (SISD) took to the streets for a hands-on initiative called the Walk for Success. This outreach effort involves visiting the homes of students who have not returned to school, aiming to re-engage them in their educational journeys. According to Socorro ISD, this year's event saw district employees like counselors, teachers, and administrators sparking conversations with families about the long-term benefits of earning a diploma or exploring higher education and career options.
Superintendent James Vasquez, who himself participated in the district's first Walk for Success in 2014 as a principal, emphasized the importance of this program. He stated, "Education is such an important pathway to success, and we just want to let them know how important it is, and we want them back," as per Socorro ISD. Over the past five years, the initiative has helped more than 250 students return to their studies. Following this year's event, four students have already re-enrolled.
The commitment behind the Walk for Success is clear in the words of SISD Board Vice President Paul Guerra, who underscored the program's value by saying, "This program has been going on for 11 years, and if we bring back at least one kid, we succeeded," as obtained by Socorro ISD. The reported reasons for high school dropouts in the district are varied, including family relocations, homeschooling, academic hardships, or lack of engagement with traditional school environments.
El Dorado High School Principal Patricia Pedroza acknowledged the personal struggles faced by many young people in their education. "Oftentimes, the scholars we're looking for came into some kind of hardship, and we want them to know that we are here to help them through that hardship and to continue to support them into whatever the next step is for them," Pedroza told Socorro ISD. Recognizing that some might be hesitant to ask for help, the district offers options like returning to their home campus or attending Options High School, which provides a more flexible learning environment.
