The Alternative

• READ

  
  

  Wai'anae, Hawai'i
  October 28th, 2013 - Wai'anae, Hawaii
  
  John Quizon, a high school dropout, has faced challenges while going to Waianae High School.
  
  “My grades and my ability to come to class. I was a very troubled kid at Waianae High," Quizon said. Because of that, he had become a 10 RR, later dropping out of school altogether. But rather than staying home and doing nothing, he decided to become a student at the Competency Based High School Diploma Program, also known as C-Base. The program is located at the Waianae Boys and Girls Club and has been in Waianae for 2 years, helping student pursue an alternative path of education.
  
  John went from missing school 7 hours a day, 5 days a week of school, to going to school 4 hours a day, 3 days a week at C-Base. The program was made to help 5% of the student population who couldn’t make it through high school due to personal problems or financial issues. “It’s a 5 month class with five units and we take each unit and learn life skills,” Program Specialist, Michelle Wilkins said.
  
  The units include occupational knowledge, community resources, and consumer economics, which provide each student with the basics they need to succeed in the real world. These skills can also help them in life financially, teaching them things like how to manage or open a bank account and find a job. "I just like building stuff and I would like to know how to make my own skate ramps and skate my own types of ramps," Quizon said.
  
  In the end of July, John will be taking his final exam to see if he can get closer to reaching his goal in being an architect. One day, he would like to build his very own state park where he can skate, appreciate and show off his design.

---

Looking back

Jesa Mae Delos Reyes, Reporter

---

Mahea Nieto-Lopes, Photographer

---

Thomas Dupa, Writer

---