For local foster care teens, graduation blends hope and fear
Tintocalis, Ana. KBPS News, June 21, 2007.

Photo: Ortisha Jones is one of 24 San Pasqual Academy graduates.

A group of San Diego County foster care teens graduated today from San Pasqual Academy in Escondido. For the past four years the students have called the campus home. KPBS reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.

A song called Hope by hip-hop artist Twista played for two-dozen graduates after the ceremony. They picked this song because it’s about moving ahead in life despite coming from a broken home.

The graduates came to San Pasqual because they had no other place to go. Each day they've kept a structured schedule telling them when to eat, study and sleep.

Senior Andre Hickerson is grateful, but worries about the road ahead.

Hickerson: We're like in this small little area learning everything, then we're about to go in this huge world. You know what I mean. How's my life end up for the future? Will I be living or surviving? And basically it’s all on me, all the pressure is now on me.

Hickerson and the others have scholarships and plan to attend local community colleges and universities.