© 2024 WSKG

601 Gates Road
Vestal, NY 13850

217 N Aurora St
Ithaca, NY 14850

FCC LICENSE RENEWAL
FCC Public Files:
WSKG-FM · WSQX-FM · WSQG-FM · WSQE · WSQA · WSQC-FM · WSQN · WSKG-TV · WSKA
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
The national high school graduate rate has hit a record high at 81.4 percent, but a number of students and communities must be reached to continue that growth. Today’s global economy demands a more educated workforce, requiring more students to graduate from high school prepared for post-secondary education and career.Public media is helping local communities keep more students on the path to a high school diploma, college & successful careers.WSKG is a proud community hub station of American Graduate: Let’s Make It Happen! Check back often for local Education news reports, media produced by teens from our area, and opportunities to get involved!

Honoring Grandmother's Wish Keeps Student on Track to Graduate

Champions go by many titles: teacher, coach, neighbor, friend, boss, classmate, or parent… Just to name a few! As part of WSKG’s program on graduation, we asked students to tell us about the person, place, or program that helps them find successful in school. 

When Kevin Eaton considers giving up on school, he thinks of his grandma and the final promise he made - to graduate from high school.

Kevin is working toward his high school diploma from EverTech Academy at Broome Tioga BOCES in Binghamton, NY. He is studying Carpentry in the Center for Career & Technical Excellence. Kevin will graduate in June of 2016! https://youtu.be/ZyuCJ5yNNnE Submitted by Kevin Eaton:The day before my grandma died, she grabbed my hand and asked me to make one promise - that I will graduate from high school. She was an important person in my life, and she always helped me with school, work, or any problems in my life. I am holding up my promise to her. I don’t want to let my grandma down.I passed a Regents exam that I had failed, and I will be graduating in June. I want to go into the carpentry field after high school. My grandma continues to help me through this promise.There are some days that I want to just give up on school, and that’s when I think of my grandma and the promise that I have made to her. I am not going to break it. I am going to graduate. My champion is my grandma, Jackie Eaton. 

 

Sharing Student Voices

Kevin's essay was a selected submission from  Who’s Your Champion? community callout. His story is part of a collection of student reflections celebrating the individuals who provide endless help, support, and encouragement along the challenging path to high school graduation.Thanks for sharing your story, Kevin, and honoring your grandmother's memory and impact on your future! 

More Champion Stories

Learn about the individuals and programs supporting students across Upstate New York. These featured champions were nominated by community members or honored by students from EverTech Academy at Broome Tioga BOCES. Photo courtesy of Kevin Eaton American Graduate is made possible by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.