野花社区视频

For Wagner High School’s Layla Barrera, graduation season is a big deal.

Because it’s not only for her. This moment is for her four siblings, her mother and dad, and her grandmother.

Even family from Mexico will be coming into town, gathering at the Freeman Coliseum on Saturday, June 1, to see her graduate.

“I’ll be the first one to graduate from high school in my family,” Barrera said.

She’s broken the chain.

“They all look at me,” Barrera said, talking about her four younger siblings. “They say, ‘I want to do it because Layla is doing it. I want to go to Wagner because Layla is going to Wagner. I want to go to college because Layla is going to college.’”

It’s heavy to be the first of anything. However, Barrera is now the example in her family - and to her siblings - that anything is possible.

After moving from Fort Worth to San Antonio, Barrera started her 野花社区视频 ISD path at Metzger Middle School. The move meant a better life and education for both her and her siblings.

“Especially after my mom had my brother, she knew she wanted a better life for all of us,” Barrera said.

Looking back at her freshmen year, she admitted she was not the best student - she didn’t take school seriously and going to class was a struggle.

“I look back and wonder why I was acting the way I was acting,” Barrera said. “Looking at how I am senior year, if I did the same work freshmen year, my grades would be much higher.”

It was her involvement in choir and meeting Mrs. Antionette Harris that changed the trajectory of her high school career.

“We would always fight, but I think it’s because she pushed me in a way no one else did,” Barrera said. “She would see me in the halls and always tell me to get to class. I would question her all the time, but she never gave up on me. Along with my mom, because of Ms. Harris, I am graduating high school.”

Choir gave Barrera a place to belong. She committed most of her high school career to choir, becoming part of the leadership in the organization, and mentoring freshmen and other members about the importance of the organization.

“It always kept me focused - especially when it came to grades and eligibility. I wanted to do all the fun things in choir, so I wanted to make sure my grades were passing.”

With graduation less than a month away, emotions are high for Barrera, but for all the right reasons. When her name is called in the Freeman Coliseum, it will be the screams of her mom and dad, grandma and siblings, and family from Mexico cheering her name.

“If someone cries, I am going to cry,” Barrera said. “I’m going to get emotional. I think of my mom, and how she helped me get here. I think of Mrs. Harris, my grandma, my siblings, the hard work I did.”

Wagner’s Layla Barrera is just one of hundreds of students who will be Celebrating Graduation. It’s a momentous educational achievement. But she is also a perfect example of why educators do what they do - because of education, she is breaking the chain. And because she’s breaking the chain, her siblings will break the chain. She’s the example of why education matters.