class of 2009 > alejandra lopez

Alejandra Lopez, the mother of Nathalie Martinez, 2, is grateful for the opportunity the Florence Crittenton School gave her to graduate from high school.

"It has helped me as a student and as a teen mother, by allowing me to reach my goal of graduating from high school," she says. "Florence Crittenton has given me the opportunity to do something better for myself, and being in a school for teen mothers made everything easier and much more comforting."

Having Nathalie in the Early Learning Center "also helped me as a mother because of the advice I would get from the caregivers. Also, seeing my daughter around other kids taught me more about her."

When she first discovered her pregnancy, Alejandra had a much darker vision for her future. "I know that most people would see a pregnant teenage girl as something negative, and at first I did also," says Alejandra. "But being pregnant has affected me in positive ways. Having a daughter made me grow up and think in a different way. Becoming a mother made me more responsible and now I see things differently."

Alejandra plans to attend college and become a registered nurse specializing in pediatrics. "I love kids and I love to take care of them," she says.

Her advice: "Be patient and responsible. If you really want something, don't give up and it will come to you."

Alejandra said, "I just want to let everyone know that I'm so happy that I'm graduating and I'm very proud of being a mother," she says. "I love my baby Nathalie so much and I did it for her."